This passage really speaks to me because I lived it. I believe that I made a conscious decision to turn away from God when I left for college. In my heart and mind, it was a transition period. I was “free” and “independent” and a certified “adult.” I wanted to live life on my terms and do whatever I wanted to do. I wanted to hang out in the darkness and not come to the light.
A few days after moving into the dorm, I was scrambling to find a ride home for the weekend. I went home every weekend until studio projects got to be so demanding that I didn’t have time to take weekends off.
Even with the reality that I preferred the comfort of my parents’ home and my small town instead of the “big city” (Cincinnati), I continued to pull away from God. I wanted to do whatever without feeling judged and without conviction.
Conviction
Conviction is a tricky thing. It makes me think of Jiminy Cricket. Without conviction, we’re able to shut out our conscience, or at least greatly reduce its volume. I think in one scene one of the bad guys flicked Jiminy away…I forget what happened, but he and Pinocchio were separated. Pinocchio no longer had any advice as to what was right and wrong (although he didn’t listen to Jiminy when he was around anyway), so he was just able to do whatever he wanted, whatever was “fun.” He was easily led astray.
That’s how I was, except I wasn’t a hero at the end of that part of my life. I was broken. Thankfully, God then searched me out and touched my heart. I am so thankful to be called His child. From that experience, I can tell you that living in the darkness may seem like “fun,” that living without judgment or conviction may seem like the ideal life, but at the end of the day (life on earth), the fun is going to stop, the unbelievers will be turned into donkeys (continuing with the Pinocchio analogy) and sold into eternal servitude in hell.
Come to the light.
Bible Verse of the Day
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world,
John 3:19-21 ESV
and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Prayer
Father, please touch the hearts of those who are living the lie. Please fill them with conviction that they are sinners and desperately need a Saviour. Lord, we ask that You prompt them to seek the light; speak to them, Lord. We come to You on behalf of our family, friends, neighbors who are lost. They are deceived into believing the great lie Satan has filled them with. Please open their hearts, minds, and eyes Lord to Your truth, to Your light so that they may be saved. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.
