God’s light exposes the darkness in my life. At first, when I started following Jesus, all He had to use was a small candle to expose the sin. With each new revelation of my self-centered habits and behaviors, He started using more and more light. There are two things I have discovered in this ongoing process. He has no limit to the brightness with which He can shine and my problems are always within my ego; they are never out there in someone, some place or something else. I used to like to blame other people and circumstances so that the focus of His light would be outside instead of in me. I’ve given up on that because the problems I have are always internal. I still find my ego rising within me, but then I simply surrender to Him and I experience His peace and joy. I always know when God is shining the light a little brighter because I get irritated, grouchy or angry. I thank the Lord for purifying my heart by shining His light and transforming the way I think and reason.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1