Lessons from a five week-old steak

We are able to see so much more clearly when things are brought into the light.

Let me give you an example:

Some time last year, I defrosted a steak in my refrigerator. I don't really eat much red meat, and I actually don't like steak. Anyways, I got really busy and kept forgetting to cook it, but it seemed fine. Weeks passed (five, to be exact). It was still sitting in my fridge, and it still looked fine under the refrigerator light. But when an unnamed synaesthetic friend took it out of the fridge, he noticed the steak had actually turned an unappetizing shade of green.

See? I was able to see how disgusting and inedible the steak had become, thereby avoiding food poisoning and all of those unpleasantries that come with eating spoiled food. All because he brought it into the light. (On a related note, this was probably the third time that this particular friend had saved my life.)

But more seriously, this holds true for many other things.

Like sin. We are always afraid of how people will receive our messiness, our darkness, and our unlovable-ness. I was reminded multiple times this week of how deeply rooted sins can become in our lives, and the lengths to which we go to hide them. When you think about it, a fellowship is just a group of sinners who admit (or should admit) they need God's forgiveness. There must first be an admittance of sin, then receiving of grace, and a community to help build up. This is why accountability is so important, and it's something that I need more of in my life.

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
-James 5:15-16