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According to an article in the science journal, Science Advance, artificially lit surfaces around the world are spreading, growing brighter, and producing more light at night. There are many ramifications of having too much light shining in the world at night. Nocturnal animals’ sleep patterns are thrown off according to Franz Holker of the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology. “It threatens biodiversity through changed night habits, such as reproduction or migration patterns, of many different species: insects, amphibians, fish, birds, bats and other animals,” he said (Los Angeles Times, November 22, 2017).
Some of the benefits to having more artificial lights are higher productivity and safety for humans. One of the negative aspects is that the night is no longer dark enough.
From a spiritual perspective, losing darkness should be seen as a positive thing.
Christianity is all about the Light. Jesus stated in John 8:12 that He is the light of the world, and that anyone who follows Him will not walk in darkness.
Shining the Light into this “present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12) is one of the Christian’s greatest responsibilities (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 4:6).
There are no doubt times when it seems like the darkness is too dense to pierce.. Those are the times that we need to keep in mind scriptures like John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
By the way, our Light is not artificial.
Troy Albers
Rosenberg, TX