When you were a teenager, did your mom ever rudely open the blinds in your room while you were still sleeping? Do you know why that was so painful? When a room is dark, your pupils dilate to absorb every bit of light they can. But when the lights are suddenly flipped on, so much light floods your dilated pupils that its muscles spasm and hurt. You squeeze your eyes shut, wanting to go back to the comfort of the darkness.

That is the same reason why most people don’t want the real Jesus, the Light of the world, in their lives. John chapter 3 says, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” (verses 19,20). When someone listens to Jesus’ teachings—his definition of a godly, obedient life—it is painful. Deeds and lifestyles get exposed. Change is demanded. And it hurts.

Maybe you know people who have turned from Jesus for that very reason. They didn’t want to feel judged. They didn’t want to change. Don’t be surprised by such reactions. Ninety-nine percent of the crowds who met Jesus personally did the same thing.

But I pray you stay in the light. After your eyes adjust to him, you’ll start to see that Jesus is the place where peace and joy and growth are found. So come into the light and do not be afraid of the pain of repentance.