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REFLECTION
Children of Light
by Pastor Jeff Morlock
In my college dorm, down the hall lived a guy I called "The Mole,” because his room was always pitch dark. The Mole preferred darkness because when the lights were off and the drapes pulled, he could sleep until 10:00 am and even after waking up, remain oblivious to the mess that his laziness tended to produce. Dirty clothes were strewn everywhere. Trash can over-flowing. A half-eaten sandwich sitting on a corner table next to empty beer cans. The Mole preferred darkness because it hid the mess that was his careless, self-defeating lifestyle. That describes all of us some of the time and some of us all of the time, does it not? This is why, from the very beginning, God has been in the light business.
The Lord entered creation to bring forth light and life. Jesus entered the darkness of death on Calvary’s cross and was resurrected in brilliance. The Spirit enters our darkened lives and illuminates them with the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and more.
Ephesians urges us to live as children of light, which is another way of saying “children of God”. Some of us are tempted to run away from the darkness of the world. But that’s what our Lord taught us. “You are the light of the world,” he said. “No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV). For Jewish people, the day begins at sundown, when people soon enough commit themselves to God’s care through sleep. Hours later God’s light dawns again, teaching us that new beginnings start with God. They are his gift to us, long before we become aware of them. Ephesians says, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead; and Christ will shine on you.” Step into the newness that God has prepared, for the sake of this dark world and our neighbors who long for the light of God’s love and truth, whether they realize it or not.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Lord Jesus, I praise you because you are Light. Shine on and in and through me to illuminate the hearts and minds of those I meet today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The T.R.I.P Method: What is there in this passage to be THANKFUL for? Of what does this text lead me to REPENT? For whom or what do these verses lead me to INTERCEDE (pray)? What action is this passage calling me to take? What is my PLAN?
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