CPTnet
9 February 2006

Washington, D.C. REFLECTION: Shining the Light in the belly of the Beast

by Michael J. Smith

In January, I took part in a Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) campaign to
"Shine the Light," on the works of darkness that have lead to the detention
of thousands in Iraq and elsewhere. Following Paul's instruction to take no
part in the works of darkness, but instead to expose them (Ephesians 5:11),
each day participants walked around a different war-facilitating institution
and gathered for prayer afterward in front of the White House. While I was
there, the processions took place at the Department of Homeland Security
headquarters, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund office, and at
Andrews Air Force Base--home base for Air Force One and other VIP aircraft.

In this city, labeled "the Belly of the Beast" by CPTer Rey Lopez, the small
group of people with feeble electric candles and flashlights was
symbolically seeking to find and expose what is hidden. Against the
backdrop of the beautifully illumined White House, our lights did not seem
to shine very brightly. Against the backdrop of loud voices for war and
violence our feeble prayers and songs often seemed to go unheard. In God's
"upside down" kingdom, however, it is in that very weakness that God's power
is shown. Each day, it seemed, there were a few more people in the
procession. So it goes: one light, then another, then another, until all
the dark corners are illuminated.

As we looked for those dark and hidden places here in the Belly of the
Beast, I became more acutely aware that even in D.C. there are people of
light. Not all is darkness. And even as I struggle to live as a child of
light, I must acknowledge those places in me where the light needs to be
shone.