for you to wake up
from your slumber,
because our salvation
is nearer now
than when we first believed.
The night is nearly over;
the day is almost here.
So let us put aside
the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light."
(Romans 13:11b-12)
Daylight savings time begins tomorrow. Tonight, clocks will spring ahead one hour. Tomorrow morning, people will be late for church. (Always happens to at least one of us, doesn't it?!) :-)
I love light. I am not a fan of fiddling with the time (either fall back or spring forward, and let it be!), but I do love the light. Lamps burn continually in my home, even in the daylight hours. My husband has stopped turning them off, because he knows I'll just turn them back on again.
Scripture records God as the creator of all light (reference Genesis 1; Isaiah 45:7); In His Word, the Lord also reveals Himself to be light itself (reference 1 John 1:5). Light exposes what darkness hides.
About a year ago, we replaced our single, outdated, ceiling-mounted, kitchen light box with multiple recessed lighting fixtures. Mercy! I had no idea how dirty my "clean" kitchen really was until I saw my cabinets, flooring, and fixtures under the illumination of a more powerful light. Beloved, what an analogy for our lives as Christians!
Through the eyes of an unilluminated world, we may seem pretty immaculate. Through our own dim vision, we may view ourselves as fairly well-kept. But, precious ones, spotless is relative perception, isn't it? I look okay with bare arms and bare legs in the soft lights of my dressing closet. But, if I see my same reflection in the revealing lights of a store dressing room, I will purpose to wear long pants and long sleeves even in the height of the summer!
The discerning of you realize that my purpose today is not to write about physical appearance. Rather, what the Lord has laid upon my heart is the condition of our hearts, relative to His. We can camouflage our flaws before the world. We can hide our dirt in the cover of darkness, and we can sweep away our sin into the dusty corners of our lives where no one thinks to look. But, precious ones, we can not hide our hearts before the Lord. "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Let us not deceive ourselves into believing that our internal housekeeping is okay because it is better than someone else's standards. There is only one standard and one standard-bearer: the Lord Jesus Christ. " 'I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " (John 8:12; see also 1:4-5, 12:46; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 1:7). Viewing ourselves through the lens of a lesser light is deceptive, defeating, and, honestly, defying to the Lord.
Jesus Himself addressed this practice in Matthew 23: " 'Everything they do is done for men to see ... Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. ... You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.' " (Matthew 23:5, 25-28; see also Luke 11:39).
To the righteous, the Lord's light is pure, true, reassuring and welcome. To the wicked, it is harsh, invalid, disturbing, and unwanted. Regardless, man's attempt to manipulate the light is rapidly coming to an end.
Beloved, the night is nearly over; the day is almost here (reference Romans 8:12; 1 Corinthians 7:29; Philippians 4:5; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18). Light is illuminating the darkness. Truth is penetrating lies. The Son is shortening the shadows. And, soon, the righteous will dwell in the everlasting light of God's glory (reference Revelation 21:23). No adjustments. No fiddling. No darkness. No hiding. No more.
Precious Father, how I long to live in the warmth and truth of Your light! How I long for Your face to shine upon Me! Dear Father, there are so many Scriptures about Your light, and I want to meditate upon them all. I pray, Lord, that Your light penetrates all who stumble across this post. Illuminate their minds, O Lord, to perceive You. Open their eyes, O Lord, to see You. And, soften their hearts, O Lord, to receive You. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your shining Son and " 'the Light of the world' " (John 8:12). Amen.
They will not need
the light of a lamp
or the light of the sun,
for the Lord God
will give them light.
And they will reign
for ever and ever."
(Revelation 22:5)
For further reflection on this topic, see also ...
How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.
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