John 3:19-21 Light or Darkness_

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. John‬ ‭3:19-21‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬

The presence of God is light. When the Father approaches, things become visible, known, seen, understood… exposed. Knowledge and understanding is light.

Satan is darkness. He is the father of lies. Deception. When something is hidden from sight, performed in secret, transacted “under the table,” travels “under the radar,” tucked away in an inconspicuous corner with the purpose of gain or protecting my personal pride, it is in darkness.

If what I am doing is based on darkness, or obscuring the truth of my motivation and intent to others so I can continue to receive advantage or avoid penalty, then when the light comes it is a threat to me. Not only do I want to avoid it, but I’d like to shut that light off. I actively work to extinguish the source. Is it any wonder that people became polarized when Jesus showed up? When the people of God carry the presence of God, the disdain just flows. Yet it’s not personal, it’s deluded and self-protecting.

Who among us is perfect? So, when considering the exposure that results as the Savior draws close, every area in my life is up for a good dose of vitamin D – and this could cause me to shudder if I have hidden areas in my life, or if I intentionally have ignored things that I know should be addressed. But the thing about God drawing close is not only that it exposes, but the light also provides clarity and detail – and a remedy. Light heals, restores, and sets us on a path that is right, just, perfect, and on a trajectory to the eternal. Whether or not this appeals to me, the one area that will never be pleased is – my pride.

Loving or hating light is about embracing life or death. It’s that simple.

I love the last verse in this monologue: “He who practices the truth comes to the light.” I want my choices to be fully informed. I want the water that comes from me to be crystal clear, not brown and mucky. I want the trail I follow to lead me to the gorgeous mountain lake, not the precipice. I want the people that are around me to be the real deal, not sly thieves. But more than anything, I want my inheritance which is God and relationship with him, his kingdom. I want a future in which we are together.

Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬

But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭13:33‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬