"The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets," Jesus explained. "The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark. When the light shines into the places they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are."
- The Shack by William P. Young

Thoughts? Reactions? About two weeks ago when I first read this, I was taken back by the profound truth in this statement. It immediately brought to mind a song a dear friend and I sang towards the end of my last year at college- Not Afraid Anymore by Twila Paris. What a victorious song about giving over every part of your life to Jesus, the one who knows the future and especially your past. It's a song about the glorious freedom that is found once you stop trying to hide any single part of your life from God. It's silly anyhow- He already knows. And He loves you anyway. He loves you so much He is just waiting for the day when you say "I'm sorry for the selfish way I've been acting. I'm sorry for trying to do this thing called life myself. I don't want to be on my own anymore. I want to know that my life has a special purpose and I want to find out what that is. But not in my own strength, Lord, but Yours." And on that day, all the angels in heaven will throw a really awesome party because YOU have found your way home.

So back to the quote... what is holding you in the darkness? Away from the One who will never disappoint you? The One who will always listen and will always answer (even if not immediately)? That piece of your life that you say is too big, that thing that pushes you too far, away from redemption? From being absolutely, ridiculously, unconditionally loved? Is anything too much for God? It's only a shadow keeping you captive in the dark. Let the light in and see it for what it is. Loneliness- a fear to be conquered. Food- an addiction to be taken out of the forefront of your mind. Finances- a worry to be surrendered in place of peace and faith. (Insert personal struggle here)- the way God wants to show up in your life today. Right now.

"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by 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 1:5-7