Tag Archives: darkness

Friends, readers,

For months now, I have been trying to find the perfect words to share amidst this tumultuous time, feeding my savior complex by thinking it is up to me to deliver us all by speaking some truth and encouragement over what you may be facing. The truth is, I can’t do it.

I love writing, but I have been living in the paralysis of fear, worried that my oh-so-esteemed reputation might be tarnished. Worried I will be judged for publicizing my personal struggles. Worried I may not say it perfectly. Trying to push it aside, to sweep it under my metaphorical brain rug, but it does not go away. And can I just say – to hell with that. My silence serves no one.

I feel deeply in my heart that many people are spiritually hungry right now. No wonder conspiracy theories are abounding at present. *exercises restraint to not tell a flat-earther joke* We may feel like we will fall off the earth at any moment. *couldn’t resist :)*

With so much uncertainty, so much unknown, we want to feel like we have answers, to feel like we are in control. The truth is, our limited human knowledge only goes so far and at the end of the day, we can only control ourselves – our own thoughts and actions.

If you are reading this, perhaps you feel discouraged, alone, overwhelmed, anxious, stagnant, fearful, complacent, rejected, unloved, shameful, guilty, angry, like a shell of your true self. Or maybe you are just bored, caught in the endless scroll, searching for a reprieve from unproductive political banter and a deluge of videos provided by the algorithmic, brain-hacking content of your social media companies vying for your attention in this quarantine season (but that is for another blog post) – in any case, you need to know these rather unpleasant descriptors do not rule your life. You are more than your problems. You are more than your mistakes. You do not have to live in darkness.

As Jesus says in John 12:46, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."

You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are forgiven. You are loved. You are a miracle, with breath in your lungs and blood rushing through your veins. I truly believe God is orchestrating this season of life that we might turn back to His Goodness.

You may call yourself a Christian, or identify with another religion, or perhaps you are very far from any sort of religion, or maybe you just think I am crazy at this point. Well, I drank a Clear Mind Kombucha booch! drink recently, so I can assure you that is not the case. The centaur in my room can back me up on this one.

Wherever you may be on the spiritual spectrum, I want to meet you in that place. I want to hear your reservations, to walk and talk with you.

Do you want to believe, but find your intellect standing in the way? I’ve been there. Like, a lot. Are you afraid? I’ve been there. We all have. But love is stronger than fear (1 John 4:16-18).

We don’t need to bear the weight of the world on our shoulders. Jesus did that for us on the cross (John 16:33). I want to invite you today to believe this. To search your heart, to honestly reflect on your life, and release your burdens to him.

You have the freedom through free will to accept the love of God through Christ. This is the Truth. Christianity is not just some ethereal philosophy of the mind. It is to be lived out in every aspect of life, something I struggle and fail at often, but strive to do every day. It is about a personal acceptance of God’s love into your heart. It’s about the Gospel message sinking down from your mind to your heart, the state of which is only between you and God.

For so many years of my life, I thought I could go my own way. In my arrogance and pride, I thought I was smarter than the millions mindlessly adhering to religious, oversimplified rules. Needless to say, I was humbled. But that is not what it is about. It is about your inner life, your soul, your heart, the very core of your being.

Jesus continually sought me out. Patiently waited as I turned away and wrestled with my doubts. The Spirit now strengthens me daily as I grow spiritually.

If you are still skeptical, I would love to hear where you are. Let’s be real. I recognize figuratively shouting over each other via social media is not the answer. We must get to the root of the issue, which takes time and a relationship built on mutual trust.

Please, friends, do not live in fear. The answer to fear is to trust in God’s promises. He will not fail you. I can personally attest to that. Take hold of the life that is waiting for you and find peace, joy, and fullness in Christ. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, to learn and unlearn, to make something new, to start fresh, to love yourself, to be bold today, to find the courage buried within you, to, God forbid, show some vulnerability. We are all growing; we are all figuring this thing called life as we go; we are all in this together. Alone, but together.

Until next time, Love,

Joe