Devotion - Tuesday, January 21

It seems strange that anyone would prefer darkness to light.  But this is what Jesus says is too often the case.  In John 3, shortly after the verse that everyone remembers most ("For God so loved the world......"), Jesus says "The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than light."

There is a reason, Jesus says, for why this choice is made.  It has to do with what happens when we step into the light - our "deeds are exposed."  So long as we remain in the shadows, our actions are private - even when those actions affect others.

God so loved the world, as to send this light among us.  It was (and remains) God's hope that we would come to the light and that there we would examine (and invite others to examine) our actions.  That we would be able to see, that we would be willing to see, and thus adjust or change our behaviors.  

You know that I am an early morning riser.  I like this time of day.  I realize one of the reasons I like it is the opportunity to watch the darkness lose its battle with light.  

I do not mean to imply that all my actions stand the test of the light; but I do hope to pass on a desire to examine (and invite others to examine) my thoughts/words/actions.  Jesus accomplishes what God intends.  May the light accomplish God's hope in my life.