Turn On The LightRomans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Eph 5:13-14a But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Some time ago it was noted among the Crusade movement women at Wright State that there was an air of shallowness among relationships. When I was talking with one of my friends about why we realized that the women are very guarded and intimidated by the thought of sharing their true selves, especially their struggles, with other women in the movement. We chalked it up to a lack of a sense of acceptance, of which I have found myself to be a perpetrator. What does the acceptance of Christ look like? It is full of grace, but also truth. I find that a lot of churches have no sense of the acceptance of Christ and probably, like me, mean well but cannot find or understand the balance of grace and truth in God's love. But when you come across Christ-like acceptance, even just coming to terms with the unconditional acceptance we have in Christ can change your whole perspective and how you relate. Acceptance is only one side of the problem. The other side in genuineness and vulnerability. One of the leaders told me, it takes one person to lead that kind of depth, one person to open up and lead the way for others to do the same. That is so much easier said than done! For one thing, even "openning up" and sharing a struggle can be done in a guarded manner (I think I may have perfected that tecnique, just as many Christians have) if it is not done in the right motives. God has been teaching me a lot about that lately. He's been teaching me the value of being vulnerable and weak. It's not just so people can relate or feel like they're not alone in a struggle, its much more than that. I've learned how to guard my weaknesses because I'm so afraid that someone will see that I'm not strong like they think - that I'm not this amazing leader like they expect me to be. It is definitely not for my gain that I would open up, and it is not just to show God that I would step out in my deepest fear in obedience to Him. No, God has been teaching me about much better reason - much more hopeful for me, much more encouraging for others, much more pleasing to Him. It is for God's glory and His name - the revealing of His character - that I should reveal my weakness (Micah 7:9). If He can be shown for who He is through my failings, then why wouldn't I let them show? (It's not directly in my failings, but in His dealing with my failings really.) If God can receive glory, though I am shamed, then turn on the light (Eph 3:13-14). (And yet, in Christ, where is the shame? - Rom 5:1-5) I heard this song and I thought it was really a good description of what I was learning about Eph 5:13-14. Martyrs and Thieves Jennifer Knapp There’s a place in the darkness that I used to cling to That presses harsh hope against time In the absence of martyrs there’s a presence of thieves Who only want to rob you blind. They steal away any sense of peace Though I’m a king, I’m a king on my knees And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong As the darkness covers me. So turn on the light and reveal all the glory I am not afraid To bear all my weakness Knowing in meekness I have a kingdom to gain Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light I am not afraid To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life There are ghosts in my past who’ve owned more of my soul Than I thought I had given away They linger in closets and under my bed And in pictures less proudly displayed A great fool in my life I have been, Have squandered ‘til pallid and thin, Hung my head in shame, and refused to take blame From the darkness I know I’ve let win. So turn on the light and reveal all the glory I am not afraid To bear all my weakness Knowing in meekness I have a kingdom to gain Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light I am not afraid To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life I’ve never been much for the bearing of soul In the presence of any man I’d rather keep to myself all safe and secure In the arms of a sinner I am Could it be that my worth should depend By the crimson-stained grace on a hand? And like a lamp on a hill, Lord, I pray in Your will To reveal all of You that I can. So turn on the light and reveal all the glory I am not afraid To bear all my weakness Knowing in meekness I have a kingdom to gain Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light I am not afraid To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life | 
