Christ Behind Me

A devotional I read for March 8 reflected on a phrase from St. Patrick's breastplate, "Christ behind me."
The devotional piece noted:

There He walks in your past. He walks in all the dark rooms you pretend are closed, that He may bring light. Invite Him into your past. Experience His forgiveness, His acceptance of you. Offer all you are ashamed of . . . all you wish to forget . . . all that still pains and hurts you . . . all the hurt you have caused others. Walk there in the places you are afraid of, knowing that He walks with you and will lead you on! Celtic Daily Prayer, pg  348

I have pondered these lines, for they remind me that the love of God in Christ penetrates the dark, hidden places of our lives -- places we would rather deny and avoid -- with the promise of healing light.

My journey is marked with many such places.  Places where I fear to venture because of the pain caused me or the pain I created and left behind.

Yet,  I know in the depth of my soul that these places can only find relief and healing if they are lifted up and surrendered to the light of God--a presence I seek to avoid and yearn to know.

The promise of life on the journey is that God does walk into those dark, foreboding places with us.

Come, Spirit of Life. Break through our darkness and penetrate our lives with your Breath of Life. Cause us to seek and do your will with glad and generous hearts.