the only light in a dark time
“We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you - your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust…. We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard - God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the only light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:14, 19)
Father,
It’s been quite the year. Lots of surprises. Not all of them invited or asked for. Many sorrows as well. Lots of reminders that I am frail, heavy-laden, sinful.
I look at the life of Peter, and wonder. Here was a man who jumped the gun, denied Christ, suffered huge self-remorse and pity, was mistake-ridden. And here he is, exhorting the church, telling about promises that turn us away from lust. Telling us that God’s Word is the one light we have in a dark time.
How did you do it Peter? How did you grow? How did you allow that point of denial in all God is, to move you to another place? How did you become a man God could trust, Peter? How?
Promises. The words spoken we hold on dear to, because we believe they will come true. But it’s hard when the promises we make to ourselves are broken. When we cannot trust our own commitments. The commitment to become better. To grow. To love another as Christ did. To turn away from sin. When we can’t keep up our promises, we are frail, fragile, and doubt ourselves.
That’s my life at this moment. The falling steps are catching up to me. I’ve allowed guilt and shame over broken words to cover me, drive me away from freedom, from the mountaintop. There is no sin greater than self-rejection, no poison more potent than the lies we ingest about ourselves and our humanity.
But this is the crux: can God’s promises be trusted? When God says, “my love covers a multitude of sins” or “there is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”, is there, really? These words are carriers of truth, powerful destroyers of shame, blame, strife. But do I trust it? Do I believe they exist, and that those words can really become flesh in my life? Or are these promises empty shells, just as easily doubted as those I make to myself?
God’s word is truly, right now, the only light I have in a dark time. Because if God’s words have no power, if His promises of freedom, love and faith can’t apply in my life, then there’s no point anymore. When all around falls down, the Word that says, “Child, you are mine” is my only light. The only way to walk away from coveting lust, and into glory.
Deep down, all I want from you, God is to speak. I just want to hear. I just want to know you give a rat’s ass, you still know how to comfort and bring peace into outer and inner civil wars. I want to know your words ring true in the 21st century as they did in the days of Jesus.
Can you?
Can I?
Will I?
Father, let your words ring true. Let your words become flesh. Teach me to trust your work in me. Amen.
