Overwhelmed!

All of us face seasons of discouragement or difficulty now and then. We cry out to God to draw near to us, to remind us of His continual presence and eternal love. There are times when God brings a quiet sense of calm and peace after a time of difficulty. . . times when we feel a small, still voice encouraging us and spurring us on. And then there are times when God steamrolls us with love and affection. Yesterday, I was steamrolled by God.

It didn't just come out of nowhere, though. It was preceded by an act of faithfulness on my part (a scary one, I'll admit). I took one small step into the light, wary of the darkness that it might expose, but willing to face whatever darkness was there. I know full well (as you all do by now) that I am not perfect. But that doesn't mean that its not painful to see my sin exposed.

Jesus taught this to a confused Jewish Pharisee in the book of John:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil
hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may
be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:19-21

I truly believe that this is where so many of us miss out on the greatest blessings of the Christian life. We are so afraid to step into the light and let our misdeeds be exposed that we hide them in hopes of forgetting about them altogether. But when we are honest before God and others; when we are courageous enough to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly, we give God the room to transform us through His power and grace! We open the floodgates for God to reveal the depths of His love for sinners like us.

The author of my bible study on John says it like this:

Over and over, Jesus deliberately lets people misunderstand him. He has a deeper meaning he wants them to get, and their intellect isn't the key. Nicodemus is smart and educated but still confused. Even Jesus' disciples are confused. The key to understanding is openheartedness or faith, the choice for more light even when one's darkness is exposed.

I am living proof that choosing the light results in great blessing and joy! As painful as it is to allow our yuck to be exposed, the result is worth the initial pain. Yesterday I once again experienced true life in Christ; the freedom that comes from living in the light and not in the dark.

I am overwhelmed by the goodness and love of my God, and I am begging you to take that first step into the glorious light of Christ today. I know that it is scary, and I know that it might require some things to change. But that light will fill you and restore you and free you like nothing on this earth ever could.

Step into the light, let the darkness be exposed, and then run unhindered after Christ. His grace is enough and His love never ends.