It can be disorienting and painful to see our sinfulness, the sickness inside us. However, there’s nothing to fear. There is no shame here. We simply need to see the lies in our lives so that we can throw them off and come out into the bright sunshine. God’s generous arms are spread wide-open to embrace us. God’s love is far more powerful than our delusions, our addictions, our destructive patterns. Whether it’s pride, envy, sloth, greed, anger, lust, or gluttony—God’s light chases those pretenders away.

If we are tempted to despair or to oppressive guilt or self-ridicule, remember God’s tenderness and gentleness. Remember that God calls us his beloved even when we’re mired in foolishness and vice. God invites us to come out of hiding, to step into the radiant light of love. God calls us to life that is whole, life that is free.