A Paradoxical Reality

Imagine a college party and everything involved.

Booze. Excessive

Dancing. Explicit.

Laughter. Ear-bursting.

Music. Enchanting

Drugs. Exotic

An environment intimately and intricately wrapped up in literal darkness. (No metaphor here.)

Indulge, indulge, indulge is the motto of the night.

Don’t hold back. Grab it while you can.

As the clock slowly ticks, the room is packed with anxious explorers to this euphoric atmosphere.

The energy surges.

But in the midst of the chaos and frenzy…

The lights are turned on.

The mood is destroyed.

In a sudden burst of reality, the partiers look at each other in disbelief

“Was I really just doing that?”

Embarrassment is felt as people notice the stains on their clothes.

The stupidity of their conversation

The shock that they are in a room full of strangers

What bothers them more is when they realize the danger that they put themselves in

Something bad could have happened

I could have died.

Been taken advantage of.

“But” one would say “I felt completely comfortable when it was the music was bumping, and the conversation was flowing and everyone seemed friendly and the lights were down…”

So what happens next?

The lights are turned off and the party rages on…

What is it about darkness that brings comfort?

What is it about blindness that seems so compelling?

In any other situation, we crave truth.

Sight.

Light.

But in those moments of indulgence or ignorance, is it not easier to just turn off the lights and move forward?

…

What is it about the light that frightens us?

Maybe then it’s not the truth we crave then, for light reveals truth.

Maybe it’s not clarity that we really want, for light brings clarity.

Maybe it’s not help we really want, for light is a guide.

Many Christians would read this and think they are safe from this analogy…

Are we?

Think of modern church services.

The lights are low.

The music is bumping.

There is conversation in the air aplenty. Even laughter.

Maybe there isn’t the drugs or booze we are thinking of… but maybe it’s the drugs of self-righteousness that we are hitting up…

Maybe it’s the cup of pride that we are gulping down.

Maybe we are like the Pharisee and dancing to the tune of our own song, praising God that we aren’t like the tax collector who is for sure a sinner…

And then, the light turns on.

The Word is open and read.

The Holy Spirit moves us.

Convicts us

Shows the stupidity of our ways.

Shows us that we are just as much sinners as the partier.

Urges us to turn to God and repent.

To believe in Jesus, to believe in his work on the cross

That He came for you to save you.

So that you could be a new creature.

So that you could do good works.

So that you could love.

So that you could be a light of the world.

But you say, “I felt completely comfortable when it was the music was bumping, and the conversation was flowing and everyone seemed friendly and the lights were down…”

What do we do?

Turn off the lights and say, “That was a good service.” And continue living the same.

…

"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is." (John 3:19-21)

It’s a paradox.

Walking in darkness causes:

Pride that is rooted on nothing stable

Self-inflicted Ignorance with complete knowledge of our depravity

Hatred of light though you know the light holds truth.

Walking towards light will cause:

Humility… in the light of God’s truth, grace, and mercy

Exposure… in the light of God’s Son

Vulnerability… in the light of God’s holiness

Repentance… in the light of God’s forgiveness

Praise of God… in the light of His majesty.

What should we do?

Walk to the light.