Daily Reading for Wednesday, Feb. 20: Sharing

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” Acts 3:19 NAS

Have you ever been awakened in the pre-dawn hours by someone turning on a light? The light hurts your eyes, and you struggle to open them against the glare of the brightness that surrounds you. This is how it is with those who are perishing. We, as Christians, come bearing our light, and that light reveals the darkness and the hidden things in the hearts of men. That darkness is sin, and it is resident in the heart of every person. Many, when they encounter the light, beg us to turn it off. They say things like, “How can you judge me?” or “I think I’ve been a good person.” They are calloused to their own sin, and refuse to consider anything but their own opinion as their guide to right and wrong. However, there are others who struggle with the light, who open their eyes and face the pain. They recognize their error, and they admit their sin. Soon, they have had their sins wiped away, and they have become accustomed to the light. Finally, they themselves become light-bearers, bringing light to the dark places of the soul where sin hides itself so well.
We must remember that our ultimate goal is not to reveal sin but to bring refreshing. If someone isn’t ready to face the light, we cannot force them to do so. We simply keep shining, and pray that they open their eyes in time. We cannot force their eyes open—only they can do that. But we must keep shining, and we must keep the light bright. That means turning it on ourselves everyday to see if there is any darkness in us. We are not perfect, but when we shine our light on ourselves (by spending time in the word, by prayer, by acts of kindness and service to others), that light shines brightest to those around us. And then they have to opportunity to find the refreshing they are longing for.