Piloting Faith: An (Almost) Daily Meditation

Finding Hope

A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5, echoes the Jewish concept of ner tamid)

In every synagogue, above the ark that holds the Torah, there burns a light—the ner tamid, the eternal flame. This light symbolizes God’s eternal presence with the people of Israel. No matter the circumstances, no matter the challenges, the light burns continuously as a reminder that Love is always near, even in times of darkness.

This flame has burned through generations of struggle, exile, and suffering. From the destruction of the Temple to the long centuries of diaspora, to the horrors of the Holocaust, the Jewish people have held fast to this symbol of God’s enduring presence. The ner tamid is a beacon of hope that even when the world around us seems chaotic or hopeless, God’s light is never extinguished.

In our own lives, we sometimes feel surrounded by darkness. There are seasons of uncertainty, fear, and loss when it seems like the light has gone out. But the ner tamid reminds us that there is always a spark of hope, even if we cannot always see it. God’s presence, like the eternal flame, is not dependent on our ability to perceive it—it simply is.

We are invited to trust in that light, to hold fast to the belief that even in the darkest moments, God’s presence burns brightly. And just as the eternal light requires care and attention, so too must we tend to the light within us. Through prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness, we keep the flame alive in our hearts and in our communities.

We are in this together,

Cameron