Day 18 – Dressing in the Dark

Read:  John 3:16-21

The problem with light is that it reveals too much. On the mornings I need to get ready before my wife is awake, I dress in the dim light of my closet. Often, as I pass by the mirror in my dining room, the morning light reveals the truth about my clothing choice: I do not match. I must confess that, at that moment, I despise the light. Were it not for the cold hard truth of the light, I would be free to continue about my day ignoring my poor choice.

What is true about dressing in the dark is also true about issues of the soul. There are parts of our souls that resist the light of day. Light exposes the dirtiness and shame, revealing what is true. The darkness, however, lets us ignore the truth and continue to live as if the dirt does not exist. The absence of light does not negate the effects of our sin and shame, but only hides them. If someone comes along and shines the light of truth in the dark corners of our souls, we recoil and hide, avoiding the light and resenting the one who brings it.

After describing Nicodemus’s nighttime encounter with Jesus, John returns to a theme he established in the opening of his Gospel: “In [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). The darkness may not overcome the light, but it certainly tries to resist it. “Light has come into the world, but people 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 their deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20). That describes me on the mornings I get dressed in the dark. That describes my soul when I know there are deeds, thoughts, lies, and shame I would rather keep hidden in the dark corners of my soul. The problem is I cannot come to Jesus and avoid His light. I must choose between the light and full exposure or darkness and the absence of Jesus.

What are you trying to hide in the darkness? Pray for the Light of the World to illuminate your heart.

Light of Mankind,

I confess I have loved the darkness because it has deceived me into believing my sins are hidden. But my sin is never hidden from You. The darkness is a lie. Shine Your light in the darkest corners of my heart. I may recoil at Your brightness and squint with the pain Your light brings, but I choose the light of Your love and the warmth it will bring.

Amen