Lent Reflection, Day 17, March 20

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16

Additional Reading: 1 John 1:5-10

Often, when we think of God as our “light,” we picture ourselves walking down a dark path with flashlight in front of us to light our way. Here, these verses describe the brightness of God in such a way that it makes me think about walking in the all-encompassing daylight as opposed to stumbling along at night. When God invites us into a relationship, it is like walking out of a dark theater into the brightness of a summer afternoon. To think that you could walk in darkness and light at the same time is about as crazy as thinking that we would need a flashlight in the middle of the day while squinting in the sun’s brightness.

These verses teach us that we can’t have closeness with God until the darkness is dealt with. God’s offer is the removal of darkness through the brightness of the cross. Entering this “brightness” is to enter into a relationship with him. At the point when we come to realize the darkness around us, we confess (or “agree” with God concerning) our sins and the darkness is dispelled forever – his death on the cross brings forgiveness.

It is interesting that John speaks about walking in the light, instead of walking according to the light. To walk in the light requires honesty and responsiveness to God, who is the light. While walking according to the light could be done in a kind of mimicking fashion without any relational connection at all.

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another (us and God!). Today, walk in the brightness of God’s forgiveness in Jesus – in this sunny day, there is no darkness at all.

Prayer: Kind Father, please shine in full brightness to draw me closer to you. Illuminate the junk in my life that simply doesn’t fit with your plans for me. Search my heart and reveal the darkness. Give me the courage to open my entire self, dark spots and all, to your light. Amen.