Join the Dark Side?

“Join the dark side.” That was the bumper sticker I saw this
morning. Yikes. Why would anyone consciously want to join with darkness? Many
have made an unknowing contract with the dark of night, for example, when they
allow themselves to be addicted to drugs. But, a well-thought-out choice?

I can think of three reasons: 1. They’ve never seen the light. 2. Darkness promises power. 3. They want to be with someone who lives in darkness. “God
is light and in him there is no darkness at all,” John says. (1John 1:5, NIV)  With no experience of God’s multi-splendored light, the light that illumines the colors of life, the dark side may feel like
the realistic side. Then, the dark side promises the ability to achieve your own
purposes. To join with God is to put aside our own desires and to work with him
to bring the rule and reign of King Jesus. And, it’s easy to slide into
darkness if people depend on others who have already chosen the dark side.

But those who join with darkness do not foresee the
consequences. They see only the glittery promises of personal power or the
comfort of connection. The dark one hides in the shadows, around the corner,
behind the shed.

Even for those of us who walk in the light, the darkness sometimes
entices. For most of us, drugs are easy to recognize as lightless. Pride, prejudice,
and greed are not so easy to see, crouching in the shadows. Let’s keep asking
King Jesus to shine his light into our dark passages. We need his power to see
the consequences of darkness. By his grace, we will choose the light of day,
every day.

Holy Spirit, come illumine the hidden corners of our hearts.

Face to Face

The Lord turned and looked
straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him:
“Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And
he went outside and wept bitterly.  Luke
22:61 (NIV)

What sort
of look did Jesus give Peter when he heard Peter’s third denial? The answer we
instinctively give to that question tells us a lot about our view of Jesus. Was
Jesus’ brow knit above hard eyes? Was his intention punishment?

Was his
mouth turned down? Was he shaking his head? Did Jesus mean to let Peter know
just how disappointed he was in him?

I doubt
he was either angry or sad. I think his eyes were soft, his face relaxed. Jesus
had previously told Peter the truth about himself: “You will deny me.” Now, I think Jesus was
both calling Peter to account and pouring forth his compassion.

Peter
didn’t know his own weakness. Jesus knew. Peter’s denials were no surprise to Jesus.
But it looks like they were a surprise to Peter, himself. The text gives the
impression that Peter hadn’t quite realized what he’d done until Jesus looked
at him.

And isn’t
that how it is with us? Only when we get face to face with Jesus do we see our
sin clearly. We can go blithely through our day, reacting to the people around
us, not thinking much about eternal realities. And then God breaks in and we suddenly
see what Jesus sees. We see the tired Walgreen’s clerk through Jesus’
compassionate eyes. We see our toddler’s frustration as a cry for attention
rather than an intentional interruption to our reading. We see in our own
hearts all the subtle ways we deny Jesus’ reality—in our small faith, our weak
hope, our cold love.

Oh, Lord Jesus, may we once again, come face to
face with you—your clear-sightedness and your compassion.

Wanting What We Don’t Want

In a March, 2001 quote, Christian philosopher Dallas Willard
says, “One of the hardest points to get past in spiritual formation is that in
order for me to be spiritually transformed, I have to want to not want what I now
want.”

I thought of this yesterday when I realized that a part of
me thinks it’s okay not to lose the three pounds I gained on our March vacation.
I thought I was all in agreement about losing. If I don’t eliminate them now, I’ll
gain three more when I go help my daughter with the birth of our first grandchild
in June. Not until yesterday morning, when I stopped and thought more seriously
why my efforts over the last few weeks haven’t been working, did I notice her
hidden in the corner.

Lifting her nose, she said:  “My clothes still fit, my lipid panel numbers
are okay, what’s the problem here?”

I pulled her out into the light: “Oh, no you don’t. If I don’t
lose these pounds now, I’ll gain more in June. I won’t be so mindful of my
eating then. I am not going there.” 

Sometimes, even as Christians, we fully want to disobey in a
particular area. But aren’t we usually of two minds? Part of us wants to do the
right thing; part of us wants what it wants and doesn’t want to change. Part of
us wants to read the Bible, the other part says, “Oh, what’s the use?” Part of
us wants to tithe, the other says, “I need that money myself.” One part says, “Don’t
even look,” while another part says, “Just one glance at that X-rated site won’t
hurt.”

With renewed prayer, I managed to reduce my portions
yesterday. By grace, I’ll do it again today. Jesus is Prince of Peace. He is
the one who exposes and settles our conflicts. Only he gives power to change
our wants.

Lord, we come to you, just as we are, conflicts and
all. Please grow our internal peace and unity.