Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything, but God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

John 3:14-21 (NRSV)

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

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Reflect

It must be instinctive to seek darkness when we have done something we know we should not have done. A four-year-old hides in his bedroom closet after doing something he’s repeatedly been told not to do. A junior high student brings home a disappointing report card so she hides it in the bottom of her dresser drawer. After a fender-bender, you park the car so that maybe, in bad light, no one will notice. You play hooky from work and try to find a dark place—a movie or an atmospheric restaurant—where you will not be likely to see anyone you know.

From an early age, our psyche that tells us that we can hide in the dark, that our sins and shortcomings can be hidden in the dark. We don’t want to step into the light because our true selves will be noticed. Our eyes adjust to the darkness and we find that the darkness becomes our comfort zone. Not only can others not see us, but we cannot see ourselves clearly. We learn to lie to ourselves, believing that everything is ok. But then along comes Jesus—the light that will not—CANNOT—be overcome.

Through the light of Christ we walk out of the darkness and are startled, blinded. Our eyes must adjust again. We see through the light of Christ and we know that the light is the Light of the World. We see ourselves, and believing in the promises of God, we walk in the light, God’s forgiven people. Eternal life is ours.

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Pray

We believe in your promises, God. You offer us a place in the light, and through Jesus Christ eternal life is ours. You are faithful, you offer us the gift of your grace and a place in your kingdom. Your promises are true, your light is warm and comforting. We are not alone. We believe. Amen.

Go with God.