The other week Wokingham held the annual charity firework display, the event was launched with a torchlight procession through the town – the streets were lit up in the November darkness by lots of people carrying bright, burning torches.
In Medieval times, Londoners could hail a torch bearer known as a link-boy, much in the same way that we can hail a taxi nowadays.
The Link Boy would go ahead and light their path, thus people felt safe on their walk home as they were no longer surrounded by darkness but by the light of a torch.
The world seems to be becoming a darker place with wars and rumours of wars, economic and political unrest, sometimes civil unrest, cost of living stress and just general uncertainty and the likelihood of a bleak winter.
Perhaps you are facing a dark future, health worries, family concerns, financial uncertainty…
The Bible tells us in John 8:12 that Jesus referred to himself as the Light of the World, not a physical torch but a burning spiritual lamp: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is a light that cannot be extinguished.
Unlike the torches at the fireworks or the torch bearers in Medieval London belief in him provides an eternal light in the darkness for all who believe.
If you believe and have Jesus as your guide you will never be alone, nor will you be in darkness.
Claire Revie is a member of Norreys Church in Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
