Can’t do it in the dark

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; 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.

1 John 1:6-7, Ignatius Bible

On the About page, I make a stab at describing what it means to me to “become all flame”:

It involves

• the pain of discovering who I’m not meant to be and allowing that to be burned away;
• the joy of gradually accepting that God loves me and won’t leave me to my own devices;
• the mystery and uncertainty of following Jesus on paths only he knows, hoping and believing they lead to light, life, and the consuming fire that is the love and glory of God.

The first bullet, put in the context of this passage from 1 John, is about accepting the truth that I often prefer and choose bits of darkness while at the same time pursuing fellowship with God. I want to be partly light (and claim the benefits), but not completely light. I want to be who God created me to be, but only in certain areas.

Am I willing to own up to it?

Am I willing to step out of the darkness and be exposed for the sake of knowing and being known by God?

Am I willing to allow God’s all-lightness burn away this part of my person I’m not meant to be?

I read this week in Matthew that Jesus “will not quench a smoldering wick”. I take that to mean he will give it every chance to flame up again. I’m grateful he does that with us.

dw