“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not put it out” (John 1:5).
That light is truth, integrity, and courage. Yesterday it was shining as bright as ever.
Republican Mitt Romney and Democrats Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Joe Manchin of WVA, and Doug Jones of AL were that light incarnate.
They stood by the oath they took as impartial jurors and did what was right. They found Donald Trump guilty as charged.
But Romney’s stand was a profile in courage as we have seldom witnessed. He stood alone without another colleague in his caucus at his side. Not one.
History will not remember the individual Republicans who stood with Trump, except as a group.
History will remember Mitt Romney as the one Senator who stood against his party because he wanted his children and grandchildren to remember that he did what he believed was right.
In an instant, there was light in the dark world of Trumpism and hope once again filled the heart of everyone who believes in truth. Romney changed everything about what happened.
I keep asking myself what his colleagues are thinking about today. Are they wondering if they should have done what he did? Probably not, yet when someone does something like what Mitt Romney did, it has an impact. I wonder what that impact has been in the last 24 hours on the men and women who serve with him.
I confess that I didn’t see it coming. I wasn’t expecting Mitt Romney to be light in this darkness, or, for that matter, Doug Jones, Krysten Simena, or Joe Manchin either.
But I learned once again that light often shines when we least expect it, good stands up when you think it has been knocked down for good, when truth is heard over what seems like a deafening cacophony of lies.
I want to remember that. More than remembering I want to trust as I have never trusted before that light does indeed shine in the darkness and the darkness has not put it out…and never will.
All because one man dared to shine a light in a room filled with darkness, and in doing so he lit up the whole world.
linnposts.com 
Oh how I needed this today! As I struggled to make sense of all of this, I wondered how you would find words to give me hope, and in came your message! Thank you!
I struggle for many reasons, but a main one is with my identity as a Christian, as I see such gleeful support of wrongdoing and refusal to allow truth. I hear pride expressed by evangelicals, my heritage, of his heartless decisions and disregard for Jesus’ commandments. I hear them condescendingly question peoples Christianity because they don’t support Trump; they are swayed by his rhetoric that doesn’t match his walk, but they don’t care. The rallies, including/especially the one recently for evangelicals, were raucous and supportive of his name-calling and brutal approach to people. I’m devastated! Who are these people? What happened to the Christians who have compassion and servant mentality? What happened to people of faith who stood for principles despite persecution? And the hatred and derision for Senator Romney is being cheered, despite his standing up for his convictions. I feel lost! Who am I, if these people are Christians but have very un-Christlike attitudes? I can’t (and don’t want to) bea part of them, but then who am i? I’m not ashamed of Christ, but I’m very ashamed of the Trump-following Christians. Thanks for your words of encouragement; I eagerly look forward to more!
Willie, I understand the feelings you have because I have them, too. Evangelical supporters of Trump are Christians, but not Christian. There is a critical difference between the two which I explain in detail in my new book, “Unbinding Christianity: Choosing the Values of Jesus over the Beliefs of the Church.” You can pre-order it on Amazon. It will be available next week (Feb. 15). I plan to write about more in a blog. I urge you to read it. I think you will find it clarifying and encouraging. Thank you for speaking honestly about where you are.
Leaning on your hope, your faith, your illumination. Not feeling it.
Very dark time to be living in DC, a true swamp and den of thieves.
Searching for Light. Heartbroken for Adam Schiff, Nancy P, J Nadler and so many other patriots who fought hard to save democracy. Tearing up the speech was exactly my sentiments. I may have been tempted to jump him from behind and throw him to the ground, lest my fear of touching the monster.
As you can tell, not seeing the Light.
Dixcy, we knew going in conviction chances were slim to none. I think Romney saved the day, robbing Trump of his moment of fake glory while giving the rest of us encouragement. Trump will be defeated in November if the voters against him vote. It’s that simple, and the same holds true of winning back the senate. We should feel more emboldened ourselves, not discouraged. Trump will help us defeat him, as his sideshows at the Prayer Breakfast andthe WH East Room today demontrate.
WOW! You have “nailed it” as usual.👍👍👍👍
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Bob. Great to hear from you.
Jan,
You have for months faithfully followed the truths that lie beneath the surface of the ugly business of the House impeachment and Senate trial of Donald Trump.
Your post today brings that process to an end, with appropriate praise for the integrity of Mitt Romney and a few others.
To the rest involved, you express your disdain and predict their sad legacy. Most importantly, you provide comfort and hope to people like Dixcy and Willie above! Millions of Americans need that today in a “world gone mad”!
Using the “bully pulpit” that presidents have, Trump continues to spread more self-serving “bully-shit” in forums such as the State of the Union address and today’s Prayer Breakfast, places known historically for bipartisan messages.
Thank you for all you do, my good friend. I eagerly await your new book, which I have been privy to in draft form. For me, it is the perfect antidote to the pompous declarations of Jerry Falwell and his savior — Donald Trump!!
Bill Blackwell
As usual, Bill, your words are clear, direct, honest, and more encouraging than I think you think. Thank you for them. I am grateful to be among your many friends.
Jan, I mostly agree with your sentiments but can’t completely shake the memory of Senator Romney kissing up to Trump hoping to get a cabinet position. Even so I think his statement was sincere and respect his integrity and courage.
Wilbur, I don’t think Romney is perfect, just courageous in doing what we right. In this situation that was a shining light to me.
the spectacle Thursday by trump at the prayer breakfast and again at the WH east Room pointedly shows his hypocrisy as well as the “christians” sucking up. Hopefully November will bring us the light you speak of
He proves every day that the Democrats and Romney were exactly right in their assessment of what he did because of the kind of man he is. That anyone supports him is inexplicable to me.
As always, well done Jan. I long to have hope. However, the next day comes a “prayer breakfast.” Never cared much about the so called national prayer breakfast. Do not know who really promotes it, nor who attends. Did any one stand up and walk out? If not, WHY? I have some hope for the future, but that hope is sorely tested almost every day. Hope you continue to do well. Grace and Peace. Stephen
Stephen, holding on to hope is definitely a challenge, but I honestly believe people like Trump ultimately fail and fall. I also still believe America is better than Trump. We’ve never seen anything like him in leadership at this level, making coping with the day to day news very discouraging. I have drawn a lot on the words of MLK, Jr. during this time. He had every reason to lose hope, but never did. That helps me keep going. I also remember some friends in ministry from Florida who gave part of their lives on the mission field and part to those in great need here. They have always been an inspiration to me in low times. I am always grateful to hear from them.
There should be a new chapter in PROFILES IN COURAGE for Mitt Romney!. Cheerz!
I agree, Gene. He will definitely be remembered in American history for this. A pretty nice legacy, I would say.