Listen

As you do all this, you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith. The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light. Let’s behave appropriately as people who live in the day, not in partying and getting drunk, not in sleeping around and obscene behavior, not in fighting and obsession. Instead, dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.

Romans 13:11-14

Think

When I was growing up, my parents would caution me, “Don’t say or do anything or wear anything that you wouldn’t want to say, do, or wear in front of your grandmother.” They knew I adored my grandmother and would want to stay within these bounds. My parents wanted me to behave appropriately, and this was very effective. This was long before social media or even photos sent over phones. So, she really wouldn’t have known if I was being inappropriate, but I would have.

Paul is also setting up boundaries for how we should behave. The Kingdom of God is coming, he tells his followers. Let’s be part of that. As a community, let’s behave in ways that already express the Kingdom of God. Let our words and behaviors be a part of the light of Christ in the world.

Katherine Doyle

Question to Ponder:

What are examples of when you’ve seen others behaving appropriately as people who live in the day?

Pray

Dear God, help me to “get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light.”

Help me to encourage others to do the same.

Amen.

Go

What communities will you be involved in today?

Look for where God is present.

Is God nudging you to do something or to say something?