Come Into The Light
For so long, we hid in the darkness, covered up and completely convinced that if God or anyone else found out the truth that brought us into that cramped and dingy and desolate corner, they would only turn us away in shame and disgust.
So there we've been, all cramped up in the muck and darkness.
It was lonely down there, and those dark voices circled relentlessly, holding us hostage with the lies that we were unforgivable and that no one would ever love or want us.
The voices told us of God's wrath, which made sense, as many of us experienced criticism, mockery, and judgment from our parents or family members as children.
The voices lashed their nasty whispers at us, assuring us that God cast us out. We were no good and should be ashamed of what we did and what we had become.
The devil is a nasty and dramatic jerk who loves nothing more than to fool us into believing how lost and alone we are.
What a bunch of absolute and total crapola.
I'm flicking those little jerkface voices right now.
GET WAY FROM US! BE GONE!
I think I broke a nail, but it was worth it.
I have said this before, but I cannot say this enough to myself, to you, to all of us:
Nothing we did, are doing, or will do can separate us from God's unconditional love.
Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Come out, come out wherever you are, my crouched-down little pookie bear.
Stand up, stretch, and raise your hands as high as you possibly can.
God is so glad you are here, and He loves you so much.
He wants to hold you, squeeze you, and fill you up with his love and light until you burst with joy.
Let the beautiful light warm you, and let the voices of truth fill your ears:
You are enough
You are loved
You are forgiven
You are wanted
You are found
The next time those voices try to whisper their nastiness to you, I want you to flick them with all the strength you have.
Send them flying far, far away. Those voices have no place in the light.
Don’t worry, I’ll take you for a manicure if you break a nail.
You keep shining and receiving that light and love my darling.
God has found you, and He is never, EVER going to let you go.
2 Chronicles 3:9
For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.
Joel 2:12
"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, and weeping and mourning."
Timothy 1: 15-19
Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof - Public Sinner Number One - of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
James 4: 7-10
So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].