Light it up

 

“Nothing good happens after midnight.”  I’m sure my now adult children remember that phrase from their teen years, when I was establishing a curfew.  Requesting that they get home a respectable hour was my attempt to protect them against the temptations that grow more alluring late at night, under cover of darkness. Some of you are probably glad I was not your Dad, right?

Paul’s inspired words that follow up those that promise the Return of Christ Jesus, use the metaphor of the day and night, the clarity of mind that is found at midday and the temptations that are part of the nightlife. He urges us to ‘belong to the day.’  "You, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8, NIV)

The ancient world knew a much more clear divide between day and night than we do. Our technology and lighting allows productivity to go on ‘round the clock, but in Paul’s time, the daylight provided the only opportunity to work. When night fell, without the benefit of lights, crime increased dramatically in the dark streets. There were many dangers lurking in the darkness. So, it was time to be home, sleeping, and for some, a time of drunkenness.

Christian, are you living as a child of the day, a productive disciple?
Is your life open to inspection, an example of self-control, faith, and hope as befits one who knows Christ as Lord?

Are you wide awake, ready for the appearing of our Lord and Savior?

This past Sunday, I referenced the “Last Days” with the reminder that even if Jesus’ return does not happen for another century, each of us is living, in a sense, in our own last days, whether we are 14, 40, or 64! Life, in comparison to eternity, is so short. We cannot afford to let day after day pass as if we were asleep, or worse, intoxicated with the things of this world, so that we forget the calling given us in Christ Jesus.

Let’s make this season of Advent a time of renewal, a rediscovery our calling to service, as we live ‘in the Light.’

Here is a word from the Word, another passage that carries the same theme.

 “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you." (Ephesians 5:14-18, NLT)

Lord, use your Word to awaken me.

May I be clear-minded, focused on Your goodness.

Lead me to live so that nothing is hidden,
nothing owns me apart from Your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ holy Name. Amen.

_______

Asleep In The Light

(a powerful song of revival
from the ministry of Keith Green, 1978)

Do you see do you see

All the people sinking down

Don't you care don't you care

Are you gonna let them drown

How can you be so numb

Not to care if they come

You close your eyes

And pretend the job's done

Oh bless me Lord bless me Lord

You know it's all I ever hear

No one aches no one hurts

No one even sheds one tear

But He cries He weeps He bleeds

And He cares for your needs

And you just lay back

And keep soaking it in

Oh can't you see it's such sin

'Cause He brings people to your door

And you turn them away

As you smile and say

God bless you be at peace

And all heaven just weeps

'Cause Jesus came to your door

You've left Him out on the streets

Open up open up

And give yourself away

You see the need you hear the cries

So how can you delay

God's calling and you're the one

But like Jonah you run

He's told you to speak

But you keep holding it in

Oh can't you see it's such a sin

The world is sleeping in the dark

That the church just can't fight

'Cause it's asleep in the light

How can you be so dead

When you've been so well fed

Jesus rose from the grave

And you you can't even get out of bed

Oh Jesus rose from the dead

Come on get out of your bed

How can you be so numb

Not to care if they come

You close your eyes

And pretend the job's done

You close your eyes

And pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes

Don't pretend the job's done

Come away come away come away

With Me my love

Come away from this mess

Come away with Me my love

Keith Green

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