Isn't it funny how a lyric tucked into a song can jump out at you? That's what happened to me this week when I was listening to "Marvelous Light" by Ellie Holcomb. Of course, we'll talk about stepping out of darkness into God's marvelous light, but we'll also tackle the struggle between wanting to be known and afraid of being known.
We never do any of it without plunging into Scripture!
On this episode I discuss:

Deep down in all of us is a desire to be known
Deep down in all of us is a fear of being known
We were designed by God to display God's identity
Ellie's perspective of not knowing that it was okay to NOT be okay
The pattern

God designed it one way - Genesis 1:26-27
We choose another way - Genesis 3:6
We hear Him calling out to us
We hide in shame (or denial) - Genesis 3:7-8
All He wants is relationship - Hosea 2:8, 19-20; Hosea 6:6-7
Deep down we want relationship, too, but are in the bondage of fear in the darkness...afraid to walk into the light


We cannot hide from God - Psalms 139:1, 11-12
Jesus is the Light - Isaiah 9:2
He brings freedom - Romans 8:1-2
Our identity is with God in Christ - 1 Peter 2:10, Hosea 2:23
All of this is that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into his MARVELOUS LIGHT - 1 Peter 2:9

Additional Resources

 Lyrics and story behind the song - New Release Tuesday
Story behind the song - Ellie Blogs
Matthew Henry's Introduction to Hosea - Blue Letter Bible
John Brown's Outline of Hosea - Blue Letter Bible
English Standard Version Introductions to the Books of the Bible - Blue Letter Bible

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time reading in Hosea this week. The prophets in the Old Testament were often asked by God to do some fairly painful and humiliating things in order to display God's message to His people. Don't get bogged down in the parts you can't understand. I think you will be able to get the big picture even if you don't understand the details of what is happening in the history of the nation of Israel. Be sure to read an introduction to Hosea in a study Bible or online to give you some historical context (see links under Additional Resources). It is only 14 chapters so you should be able to read it in one or two sittings. Be sure to underline key verses and journal your thoughts as you read. As always, pray before you read God's Word. Ask God for wisdom and revelation. Remember, if you don't get to know God better, you have missed the point of reading His Word. Right here, in Hosea, God tells us of His desire for His people to KNOW Him. We are His people!