Night

So I was reading about Solitude in the book The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster today and came across the idea of "the dark night of the soul". Now, I am not a stranger to this concept of a night in the Christian faith. However, while reading this passage, I was struck by the possibility of a second meaning. I believe there is and can be a difference between the dark, cold and lonely night and one filled with peace, growth and joy.

The difference between a dark, cold, lonely and bitter night and the one more beautiful, lovely and joyful that the brightest day is who we spend it with.

A night, removed from the crowd, separate, intimate and passionate is the fuel that feeds our daily relationship. That sort of night is what gives birth to fruitfulness in our lives.

In the same vein, even a night alone, dark, solitude and yearning, when taken from this point of view, only causes to deepen the hunger for Him whom we long.

When we encounter the dark night of the soul, let us be encouraged. Let us recognize our deep and abiding love for the One that we miss, the one that we long for. Let us search Him out and take peace in the fact that He will find us. It will not be long until our desire will be fulfilled.

¹ All night long on my bed

I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him.

² I will get up now and go about the city,

through its streets and squares;

I will search for the one my heart loves.

So I looked for him but did not find him.

³ The watchmen found me

as they made their rounds in the city.

“Have you seen the one my heart loves?”

⁴ Scarcely had I passed them

when I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go...

(Song of Song 3:1-4a)