Reflecting Light

Scripture
 
Ephesians 5:8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
    “Sleeper, awake!
        Rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

Observation

Jesus is the light and if we are in a relationship with Christ, we will reflect his light. The brightness of the light doesn’t leave shadows where particular activities can be hidden. When bright light enters the darkness the things that are hidden are exposed.

The section ends with what is believed to have been an early baptismal hymn — a declaration for those who were now following Christ and walking in the light.

“Sleeper, awake! 
Rise from the dead, 
and Christ will shine on you.” 

This is the moment of transformation and from now on the light of Christ is reflected in the life of the one who is in a face to face relationship with the Lord.

Application

We don’t have to create our own light, we simply must reflect Christ’s light. Anyone who is in a right relationship with the Lord will be reflecting that light and it may not always make others feel comfortable.

I fly a lot and it seems to me that lately more and more flyers keep the window shades down in the plane. It used to be such a novelty to fly that you wanted to look out the window and see the incredible scenery as you flew by. Now, people are so engaged in their electronic devices that the light from outside is simply a distraction to their ability to see. The light is simply too bright and they would like to continue in the darkness where they feel more comfortable. The problem is that without that natural light it makes it difficult to do anything “natural” — say, read a real book. Have we become so accustomed to the darkness that we are uncomfortable with the light?

I’m afraid the same may be true with our spiritual lives. We become comfortable with our surroundings and keeping the lights just a little dim, tuning out the real world may make us comfortable. When the light of Christ is shining in on us it becomes a real wake-up call. Christ’s light shines on the dark spaces of our own lives and brings to light the things that must change. At the same time that light is reflected in us. At first it may make those around us uncomfortable but eventually we may become the only real light that they experience. There may become a hunger for that light that leads to the source of the light — Jesus.

It is in that moment of rebirth that we rise from the dead and the light of Christ shines on us, and is reflected in us. Now, we live as children of that light, being transformed and bringing transformation to a darkened world. We are never promised that this will be easy, but it is the very nature of being in a right relationship with the Lord. If you are seeking the face of Jesus, you will reflect Jesus.

Is your life one that reflects the light of Christ?

Prayer

Lord, please help me to be comfortable living in, and reflecting your light. Amen.