This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1 :5-10
Ordinary Darkness
I hate that part of the cave tour where everyone turns out their lights, and you stand in pitch blackness. That kind of darkness is terrifying, disorienting. However, if I’m honest, there is something rather comforting about the “ordinary” darkness. Yes, it may be difficult to see perfectly, but then people can’t see me either. Too often I live close to the mouth of the cave, where there is just a hint of light—the area where my sins are hidden, or I think they are.
Walking with friends in the light means not staying in the cave of darkness. I don’t do this well at all. I fear that if they could see me, if they truly knew me, they would run far away. No, they would put on their sweet Christian smiles, tell me they would pray for me, and then run far away. So, I retreat back to the illusion of safety in the cave. Not only does that injure my relationship with God, but my fellowship with other believers as well.
Stepping Into the Light
That is not how we should live. God is light. Only as we bravely step out of our caves of brokenness and speak the truth about who we are, can we have fellowship with God and with others. Sometimes the only strength I have is to call out from the cave, to acknowledge how lost I am. Repenting of our sins and confessing our weaknesses allows Jesus to begin to heal our brokenness. He is faithful and will forgive us and purify us. Sometimes having loved ones and friends where we can safely confess helps us to return to the light, as well as shine God’s light a little brighter. So, I continue to fight the urge to flee back to my cave.
God, our eyes have adjusted to the darkness. Sometimes we don’t even realize how dark our surroundings are. Help us to call out to you, so you may shine a light on our sins. Give us family and friends so we can help each other to walk in your light. Amen.