Radiant with Joy

❤ ❤ ❤

Coming in strong with two February videos on the final day of the longest version of this month. lol #leapday #24in2024

(The vulnerability hangover is real, so I edited this one down a bit...)

 

Not wrestling with anything uncommon to man, but I'm relieved to have broken through the shame-hold after confessing to a trusted friend this week - one act of courageous obedience has a stunning ripple effect in shattering Satan's false sense of power over us.  He is clever and good at what he does -- the subtle triggers and temptations, the accusations, shame, condemnation, playing on our fear of rejection, convincing us we are trapped and isolated, and pushing the idea that God is barely tolerating us.  I understand having a lot of things together but hiding the cringey, messy stuff.  I understand reading and writing about God's love but quietly wondering if He's ready to give up on you or deliberately keeping His distance.  I am starting to remember and understand the power of confession and getting real and feeling God fight for you in a new way.  The very best news is NOTHING we've done and NOTHING done to us can separate us from God's love -- His fiercely protective, merciful, patient, and personal love!

No. shadow. of. shame.  ❤

Based on the surrounding voices, the Christian temptation can be to work within church culture to hide and cover our sin (focusing on shame and punishment; keeping what's dark tucked away in the dark)... OR to gently blend in with a worldly culture that normalizes, dismisses, justifies, and even celebrates sin (focusing on a twisted version of "grace;" pretending what's dark is actually light).  In stark contrast, God asks us to confess sin (to call darkness darkness and be clear about what is vile and evil), and then repent (realigning ourselves within His light and separating our identity from that darkness).  The word "separate" is a powerful reminder to me that no sin is a real part of my identity - my core identity is shining in the light of Christ, and "there is no darkness in Him." (1 John 1:5)

There is value in confessing to a trusted person when you want help and freedom.  God is also reminding me I cannot put too much stock in the opinions of people, particularly when I'm in a vulnerable place and they may be quick to minimize or sharply condemn sin (check the comments section of literally any controversial post on social media, and you'll see both reactions).  That's one big reason why God pulled me back from oversharing publicly, as I need to fully uproot this and work through it before writing in more detail (and bc writing to one individual person forces me to 'be seen' and intensely connect in a way I might've cleverly avoided via online sharing).  As flawed humans, we personalize things and naturally lean one way or the other in our grace vs. truth reactions - His standard is exceptionally high, but "there is no condemnation in Christ," so Jesus is always our most trusted source for the balanced grace-AND-truth response that leads us into real FREEDOM!! ❤

For now, I'll say this - if you are in a dark season of your own making or a dark season with external causes, you are not as alone as the enemy wants you to feel!  Our God will not abandon you or leave you there, truly - He is pursuing your heart even now.  "Do not gloat over me, my enemy.  When I fall, I shall rise, and even when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." (Micah 7:7-8)

The Lord will clarify the path to life, freedom, and victory!

We gain clarity with each step toward His LIGHT,
And the shadows of shame fall behind us.
Freedom is closer than we think.

Keep pressing forward.

Happy Leap Day.

❤