2015 Word: Walking in Light

2015/March by Marji Laine 6 Comments

I did something stupid the other day. On a rainy, cloudy night with no moon, in my dark house, I didn’t want to wake Sweet Hubby who had fallen asleep on the couch. I turned off the T.V. and made my way to our room. No problem. I even shut my eyes. I couldn’t see anything, anyway.

The problem wasn’t getting to my room. The problem was accidentally leaving my water bottle in the living room. I about-faced and planned to take the trip right back. What I didn’t reckon on was my sweet hubby had oiled all of our doors. They swing easily now and soundlessly. So when I passed my bedroom door, it closed a bit from the draft of my movement.

Just enough to catch me on the cheek bone as a tried to leave my room.

I told you it was stupid. Thankfully, I didn’t hit it hard enough to leave a mark. I don’t think Sweet Hubby would have understood if I blamed it on him! LOL!

There’s a reason why our eyes work in light and not so much in darkness. We’re supposed to walk in the light. Physically and spiritually. And yes, the Lord is illuminating many new things about His urging for me to walk.

The truth is, I couldn’t avoid the door. Because I was in darkness, I didn’t even see there was a problem.

Do you see a spiritual issue there? Nowadays, Christian is becoming a bad name because folks who use it are often busy shaking their fingers at sinners. But if a person is ensnared by sin, they are also often blind to it.

People living in the darkness of the world need light, not shame. Jesus didn’t fling shame. When he encountered Zaccheus, Mary Magdalene, Matthew, or the woman at the well, he didn’t look on them with disgust but with love and concern. His instructions more than once were: “Go and sin no more.” Not “shame on you for what you did,” but going forward in your life be light, do good.

Paul speaks about spiritual light and darkness in Ephesians 5:8-10 “… for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

These verses come smack-dab in the middle of a section about avoiding sin. Before these verses, Paul instructs us to not be partners with sinners – “sons of disobedience.” Right after this quote, we’re urged to “expose the fruitless deeds of the darkness.”

I think this whole section can be regarded as a foundation for legalism and pointing fingers. But I don’t think that’s what Paul is saying. The key is to WALK as children of LIGHT. To glow with the fruit of LIGHT – goodness, righteousness, truth. To focus our attention on pleasing the Lord.

Then our very walk will illuminate the “fruitless deeds of the darkness.” Those who are in bondage to sin won’t hear, “your a sinner.” But they’ll see good deeds. They’ll witness joy in pain. They’ll experience hope in the empty vacuum of their trapped lives.

Because it’s the Light within us that does the exposing. Not our mouths. Not condescending looks of disgust. As we seek to please the Father, that Light becomes something we don’t even have to think about. It’s compassion in the tone of voice. It’s warmth and acceptance in the eyes.

This picture illustrates the concept well. The two people sitting on the high point might not be able to see each other or themselves very clearly because they’re in shadows, but look how easily they can view those things with light. We’re supposed to be that light for them.

Reminds me of another verse from the Master’s own mouth in Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Your Turn: I’m enjoying the things that the Father is teaching me about walking. We’re almost out the three month mark for 2015. What has He taught you during these last 3 months?