In the dark, we say things that are untrue, unfair or unkind, while looking around to make sure no one’s watching or listening.
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
Carrie was one of my closest friends throughout junior high. We shared classes, played basketball together, attended the same church, and slept over at each other’s houses. We weren’t besties, per se, but she and I were pretty tight.
Then came the youth group ski trip of 1993.
Carrie was equal parts gregarious, talented and beautiful – a fatal combination that drew annoyance out of other teenage girls. One infamous night, she became the target of a small group discussion about her vast array of imperfections.
There I stood in a hotel room, somehow – uncharacteristically—surrounded by high school girls much older and cooler than me. Awed to be in their presence, I cowardly stood by as they picked apart her every flaw. “Have you seen the way she cakes on her makeup?” “How about the way she snorts when she laughs?” “I wish she’d tone it down when she sings…no one is impressed.” And so on and so forth.
I don’t recall contributing to the attack, but I didn’t do anything to stop it. When I later discovered that a tearful Carrie had overheard the whole ordeal from the hallway, I knew the damage was devastating. What happened in the darkness destroyed our friendship forever.
That’s the thing, isn’t it? Sin lurks in the darkness, creating sorrow and destruction.
I’d love to say I learned from my mistakes and left all my bad behavior in the 90s. But I confess, it’s still tempting at times to cower in the dark. Far more often than I care to admit, I’ve whispered frustrations to a third party, or stayed silent in the midst of gossip and slander. That’s not where I want to live.
In the dark, we say things that are untrue, unfair or unkind, while looking around to make sure no one’s watching or listening. In the dark, we create confusion and doubt. In the dark, we destroy people, and we sabotage relationships.
While Satan whispers, Jesus proclaims. To be like Jesus is to dwell in the light. To be like Him is to bring light wherever there is darkness.
In the light, we build confidence. In the light, we honor others, whether or not they are present. In the light, we have tough conversations, speaking the truth in love. In the light we restore relationships, foster fellowship and discover freedom.
We are the church at its finest when we live in the light. We love God, journey together and serve others by reflecting the Light of the world.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in these times of uncertainty and change, I pray that we will flee from the darkness, choosing to squelch any thoughts, behaviors or conversations that do not honor you. I pray we’ll have the courage and the love for one another to walk in the light, as you are in the light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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This post was originally written as a devotional for Manteno Church of the Nazarene, my incredible church home where we strive to “Love God, Journey Together and Serve Others.”