The Dark Cloud of Unknowing

In the beginning, there was darkness.

Not light.

Formlessness.

Void.

Why?

It is the way of things.

It has always been.

Before resurrection, death.

Before a plant grows, the seed must die.

Before one being can be fed, another must die.

Before light, the darkness.

Before morning, the evening.

Before knowing, unknowing.

A Bible placed in your hands, now you'll know everything!

No.

Read the cries from the dark cloud of unknowing.

They are there, from beginning to end.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away."

"Surely the Lord was in the place and I, I did not know it."

"How long, O Lord?"

"What is your name?"

"Show me your glory!"

"If the Lord is with us why has this happened?"

"Where are the miracles? Where are the signs?"

"Lord I believe. Help my unbelief."

Fear not the darkness.

Darkness is where everything began.

It's not where it stayed.

But it's where it began.

Admitting we don't know.

It's the first step to knowing.

Question.

Doubt.

Struggle.

Uncertainty.

Mystery.

Not the opposite of faith.

But what faith is made of.

Know everything, no struggle.

No struggle, no knowing.

Enter the cloud.

Welcome the darkness.

Within it, we meet Him.

He meets us.

He wrestles with us.

We wrestle with Him.

Him.

The One who says, at the last:

"Thy name is Israel.

For thou hast striven with God.

And with man.

And thou hast prevailed.

Well done.

Enter my rest.

(with a limp)."