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14 Apr: Living in the Light
This light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:9
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:1–9
Whenever I fly across time zones, I’m willing to try almost anything to dodge jet lag. One time, I decided to sync my meals with my destination’s clock rather than the plane’s schedule. While everyone else was digging into dinner, I stayed fasted, watched a movie, and tried to sleep. It was tough, and that pre-landing breakfast wasn’t exactly a gourmet reward, but being “out of sync” with my fellow passengers actually worked. It forced my body to adjust to a new reality before I even landed.
This reminds me of Paul’s message to followers of Jesus. He understood that to truly reflect Christ, we have to live a bit “out of step” with the world’s rhythm. He reminds us that while we “were full of darkness,” we are now called to live as “people of light!” (Ephesians 5:8).
What does that look like in practice? Paul explains that “this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” (verse 9).
Choosing to sleep through dinner might have looked ridiculous to the people sitting next to me, but it served a higher purpose. In the same way, even when the world feels like it’s stuck in the middle of the night, we are called to live with the brightness of the morning. It might bring some weird looks or even pushback, but through Jesus, we can “live a life filled with love.” We follow the lead of the One who “loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God” (verse 2).
By: Ezra Bennett
Go deeper on: Touching the Face of God
Reflect & Pray
Where have your actions and choices lined up too closely with the world around you? What would the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth look like in your life?
Jesus, wake me up to the new day that has come in You. Fill me with Your power to live in a “different time zone.” Open my eyes to choose goodness, righteousness, and beauty.