And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
John 3:19-21

Dear God, there is nothing like a clear conscience. And when there is something to hide, there is nothing like confession and access to absolution.

I wonder if this is the source of peace when it comes to the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Can there be peace without repentance and forgiveness? When someone is hiding things and holding on to shame and guilt, can that also be thorns in the soil of the soul that keep the Holy Spirt from growing good fruit (Matthew 13:1-23) in us? I think the obvious answer is yes. Yes, it can and does.

It’s easy to sit here and wonder about others, but what am I hiding? Is there anything that is allowing Satan power over me? Is there anything of which, if Jesus’s light were to shine on it, I would be ashamed? There probably is.

Father, thank you for grace. Thank you for freedom. Help me to completely access what you have for me and to share your message of freedom with others. Help me to also give that mercy freely to others so that they might see at least a little of you in me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen