By CLIVE BUTCHER
Saturday 11 September 2021
LIGHT AND DARK- GENESIS 1 : 1-5 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day
Present day cosmology suggests a slightly different version of Creation, starting with the 'Big Bang' 13.8 billion years ago, yet the early Universe went through a period known as 'The Cosmic Dark Ages' which ended when the first stars and galaxies formed giving forth light.
The light provided by our Creator God is essential for all living things and our ability to produce light has been of major benefit to Humanity. There are however problems associated with our use of light. The above image of night-time Europe is stunning but a reminder of how much light and therefore energy we waste.
Access to the electricity needed to provide light is uneven across the globe, it is estimated that 650 million people will still have no electricity in 2030 particularly those living in sub-Saharan Africa. No electricity and no light at night limits human activity and alternatives such as kerosene and candle burning carry risks of fire.
The production of electricity remains too dependent on fossil fuels which have such a major role in global warming and climate change. God has provided us with alternatives, flowing water, wind and sunlight which we need to take advantage of at a greater rate if we are to avoid catastrophe!
Prayer
We thank-you God for your Creation and the gift of light both for the physical benefits and for the light of Jesus Christ that darkness could not overcome. Amen