Insight, love, surprise, discovery and joy all come from places where and when we are not sure. Places of uncertainty, even chaos. This goes against the grain of a culture tempted by closure, answers and fixes, where we are afraid of mystery, questions and doubt. So these shadow places-places of reluctance, uncertainty, ambiguity, confusion, grief, loss, fear, shame, or passion-are too easily dismissed as darkness.

If we see the shadow as an indictment (to bring shame), or a blemish (to be eradicated), or a piece of bad luck (to be prayed away), we devote all our mental energy and expendable income on cosmetic improvement. And we view hope as a lottery ticket, a way out. But what if hope is really about the incarnation-God (literally) with us? In the midst? In. As in, this life. This moment. These shadows.

Jesus invites us to let our "light shine" and it's not contingent upon having our act together, having the answers or even the right amount of faith. We are invited to see prayer as living the moment-this moment-with open hands and open heart. Open and awake to the wealth of life's quirky offerings, without the need to tidy up. In that space my heart can expand to receive those parts of my life, all those parts. . .the messy, the uncertain, the doubts, the shadows. And my light will shine.