Live in the light of "goodness, justice and truth"
Daily Scripture
Ephesians 5:8-11
8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. 9 Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. 10 Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, 11 and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead, you should reveal the truth about them.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
The spiritual contrast of “darkness” with “light” finds its roots in a typical human reaction to the presence or absence of physical light. People who want to do something wrong, something they are ashamed to have others see them doing, usually choose to do them in darkness if they possibly can. Ephesians expressed confidence that, living in God’s grace and power, Christ followers do not need to fear the prospect of God’s light illuminating “everything” about our lives.
- Verse 8 did not say, as we might expect, something like “You belong to the light.” It used a stronger phrase: “Now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” What is the source of the light that shines from your life in your best moments? Can you recall one or more times when you realized Christ’s light shining through you had brightened another life?
- What are some of the attitudes or behaviors (even if you’ve always been a Christian) in which God has moved your life from darkness to light? Ephesians 6:14 spoke of having “justice as your breastplate.” How can you intentionally “test” the parts of your life, as verse 10 suggested, to discern the way of living most pleasing to God? How can you trust God’s leading, not just human instincts or wisdom, to shape your life into a life of justice?
Prayer
God, creator of light, keep illuminating the darkest corners of my life. Keep guiding me as I test habits and practices, seeking to live every day as a child of your light. Amen.
GPS Insights
Lauren Cook
Lauren Cook is the Entry Points Program Director at Resurrection, a self-proclaimed foodie, a bookworm, and is always planning her next trip. She has the sweetest (and sassiest) daughter, Carolina Rae, a rockstar husband, Austin, and a cutie pup named Thunder. She loves connecting with others so let her know the best place you've ever eaten, best book you've ever read, or best place you've ever been!
A friend sent me this card a little over a month ago, complete with encouraging words on the back. Upon reading it, I immediately burst into tears and sent her a text that said, “Thanks for the card and the thoughts, but my fire has gone out.” And I really believed that.
I tend to be a fiery person. I am passionate, energetic, a high achiever with big dreams. It takes a lot to knock me down, and when I do get knocked down, I tend to jump back up pretty quickly.
Then life hands us things like arguments with our spouse or partner, the loss of a friendship, a defeat at work, sickness, exhaustion, injustice, death. The darkness becomes overwhelming. When these things seem to happen all at once? It can feel impossible to get back up.
I’ve been in a place of darkness. I was running to God, begging Him to relieve me. I wanted Him to fix all of my problems, and do it now. And when that didn’t happen, and the months stretched on with even more challenges, I had no idea what to do.
I wonder, have you been there? Are you there?
While it felt like God wasn’t answering, what I now realize is that He was sending others to answer, to be the light to my darkness. My small group, my best friends, my family. They showed up, continually, even when I couldn’t return the favor. They prayed for me and with me when I couldn’t find the words.
As I have made my way out of that darkness, it is thanks to these angels who shone light into my heart and re-kindled the flame inside of me. Who helped me see that while my light was dimmed, it never went out because I am light. I am fire. We were made in the image of God, who is the true source of light and life, and He will sustain us and carry us through every darkness.
You are made of fire. If your fire is roaring right now, be the light for others and shine the love of Christ into this world as brightly as you can. If your fire is in embers right now, let others be the light for you, let God shine into you. There is no one, and no thing, that can put your fire out. Live into that truth today, and go light up this world with all that you are.
