I remember dancing in the dark, just me and Jesus. And I felt so free.

It was midnight and the start of 2021. I realize New Year’s is quite some time away, but I can’t help but remember that moment. Some of you celebrated Christmas in July so why not capture this New Year’s moment now, right?

I can’t say that I am fond of being in the dark but this moment was different. I sensed a stillness and the peace of Jesus right there with me in the room. My heart longed for new, for myself and for the world around me. It was just me and Jesus in the dark, and we danced.

Darkness in this moment was not anything bad at but actually full of good and light. I found the beauty in the darkness. Even in the very beginning, God was there in the midst of the dark.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:2-3

In the dark, God is there.

God’s presence hovered.

His presence covers you in the still of the night when you just dance with Him, and His presence settles over you when darkness tries to consume you. Dark and Light, Jesus is near and always with you.

Maybe this New Year’s night came to my mind as a simple reminder for you and me to dance, even in the dark.

No matter how divided the world appears to me right now, I have to choose to cling to the truth of my Savior. When the cares of life start weighing me down, I gently remind myself of the One who holds it all together, including me. And no matter if I’m in a moment of sorrow or rejoicing, either way, I know I can dance.

While I love the moment of dancing in the dark with Jesus, I realize there are times when darkness tries to overcome our light. If darkness is clouding your thoughts, know that Jesus takes your shaking hand and beating heart and calms you with His love and assurance.

There are moments when darkness can consume us. Such darkness can keep us from freedom. Darkness can keep us bound if we don’t look to the light.

But Jesus meets us in the darkness. And in that darkness, maybe you just . . . dance.

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 18:28

We have a Father who will keep our light bright even when the darkness comes.

When I danced in the dark at midnight with the new year just starting, it looked much different than expected. Dance, I thought? In the dark? It was pure freedom, though, and Jesus guided me in the dark. And I know even today, He guides my hands and feet toward His brilliant light.

The light of Jesus will always prevail in darkness. When you feel like the dark is closing in on you, remember the One who is ever so close.

And maybe we can even see the beauty in the darkness. Dance even in the dark.