A Benevolent Capture
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ––John 1:5
This is what new birth as a man will look and feel like. The light of Christ shines into the secret places and exposes realities in our lives, the gaps He would like to help us fill. A full exposure to His light in our lives leaves no corner un-illuminated and leaves us exposed morally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
And though being exposed can be uncomfortable, Jesus insists this is a benevolent capture. In fact, running only precedes what will eventually be even worse for us when it is caught and exposed. We can choose to bolt back into the pseudo anonymity of darkness to alleviate the present discomfort of exposure to reality. But we’ll be so much better off welcoming the Holy Spirit’s perfectly targeted detection of the problem.
We are like the dolphin trapped in the long net; the lion caught in the thicket. The faster we submit to the benevolent One’s handiwork, the faster we become free.
We should surrender to the Master Craftsman’s loving pursuit of truth for us so He can finish His shaping of whom and what He wants us to be.
Why so much reality? Why the discomfort? Why the pushing and pulling to negotiate with the truth if it’s there anyway? It’s just the same truth that’s always been there, right? It’s not going anywhere. Why not just accept a little fantasy with your reality?
Jesus confronts His men with the facts, because anything less on His side makes Him a fraud and makes you not a brother, but an object of judgment. Holding to your fantasy makes you a recipient of His justice.
God always has your best in mind. Anything less than exposure to truth is a deception. Satan is the deceiver, don’t be hijacked. He’s the snare in the thicket; choose a better path.
Father, thank You for Your perfect wisdom which calls for truth’s exposure.