Abidingনমুনা

Have you been trying to abide but have not seen any breakthrough or impact? Does it not truly feel like the whole light has been shined on your darkness, secrets, wounds, or insecurities? Jesus desires wholeness, restoration, and healing in your heart and Spirit. For love and light to be poured into your heart on the things you might be holding onto. The theme of today and every day as a Christian is to abide in the light.

Here are some scriptures on which to slowly read and meditate, and then I have a takeaway or action step!

1 John 1:7 ESV:

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Ephesians 5:8-14 ESV:

"You were darkness at one time, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret."

1 John 2:9-11 ESV:

"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him, there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

James 5:16 ESV:

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Bringing other people in on any darkness, such as sin you have done or done to you, can be scary and frightening. But what Jesus calls us to do is not run from our sin but face it knowing it has been forgiven. If you are struggling with something or have never opened up about something that is hidden in the dark, I highly encourage you to visit a friend, leader, or mentor and bring light to it. The restorative work that light can do on darkness is beautiful, freeing, and rejuvenating. When we abide in God, we abide in the light, and nothing is hidden from the light. I encourage you to go to someone God is leading you to and open up to the light so no darkness or shame can exist! You will be free to love God and love people.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help uproot any areas of darkness in me that need to be brought to the light. I pray you would guide me into a safe space, allowing my heart to become nothing but light coming in and doing out. Take me deeper into your light and love every day. In Jesus' name, Amen!