Listen

Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:10–14

Think

Some days we just want to sleep in. Getting out of bed may mean facing circumstances with which we would rather not deal. There are times in our lives when we might prefer not to see or be seen, but God sees us anyway. One of my seminary professors used to say “There is no place we can go where God hasn’t already been.” That should be a great comfort to all of us.

Fear, stress, and busyness are fruitless hiding places. We may seek the cover of dark sheets of excuse, apathy, and self pity, but the light of Christ will expose even them. The time has come to wake up and take part in the new thing that God is doing in the world. So what are we waiting for?

Neil Myer

Pray

God, thank you for continuing to seek me out, even when I don’t think I’m ready to be found. Help me set aside excuses and let your light shine through me for the world to see. Amen.

Go

Go now with a willingness to see things as they are,
And imagine the world as it could be.

We all have a story to tell
And experiences that shape what we see.

But there is healing in the truth God brings
And enough light to see just ahead,
For God is already in the place where you are going.