Quakers have an unusual way of talking about what we are\nseeking: we are seeking \u201cthe Light.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gospel of John, long a favorite of Quakers, begins by\nsaying \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word\nwas God.\u201d That\u2019s an arresting way of\ntalking about what we are seeking, but quickly John moves to speaking of the\nLight. John says the Word was \u201cthe light\nof all humankind.\u201d Moreover, \u201cthe light\nshines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.\u201d Of the coming of Jesus, John says \u201cthe true\nlight that gives life to everyone was coming into the world.\u201d John 1:1-9. And later John quotes Jesus as saying \u201cI am\nthe light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but\nwill have the light of life.\u201d John 8:12. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The early Quaker James Naylor said \u201cArt thou in the darkness? Mind it not, for\nif thou dost thee will feed it more. Stand still, act not, and wait in patience\ntill light arises out of darkness and leads thee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The early Quaker theologian Robert Barclay said \u201cThat for\nthis end God hath communicated and given unto every [person] a measure of the\nLight of his own Son, a measure of grace, or a measure of the Spirit.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in worship we often ask that we hold someone \u201cin the\nLight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What a remarkable gift is \u201cthe light.\u201d How can we awaken the\nLight within us? How can we wait in\npatience till light arises out of darkness and leads us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worth watching is this QuakerSpeak video: <\/p>\n\n\n\n