One Word is LIGHT

We’ve just celebrated a different kind of Easter with online and drive-up services across the country due to social distancing and quarantine mandates. Because of this, I found it especially hard to approach Easter weekend with the usual excitement.  As I lamented to a friend, she shared an idea with me of how she was encouraging herself and her neighbors during these dark days. This led Wally and me to build a cross in our front yard strung with Christmas lights to serve as a testimony of encouragement to passersby.

It ended up being a testimony of encouragement to me because it reminded me of the truth we celebrate during Easter-

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5

This beautiful New Testament scripture affirms the promised light of salvation which had been prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah spoke of the Messiah who would come-

I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
Isaiah 49:6

This is truly the celebration of Easter. The light of salvation has come into the world. The light is Jesus and his light is life. The empty tomb that we celebrate is the proof that his resurrection conquered death and ushered in the good news- darkness has not overcome the light!

This is still true today- regardless of your circumstance or trial, the light and life of Christ still shines, and the darkness has not overtaken it!

How then are we to live as Easter people? The Bible has much to say about life in the light-

• Acknowledge your fleshly tendency to love the darkness more than light. (John 3:19)
• Believe in the light that you may become sons of the light. (John 12:35-36)
• Follow Jesus to have the light of life. (John 8:12)
• Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)
• Let your light shine as a testimony to those who do not yet have the light. (Matthew 5:14)
• Wake up and walk in the light. (Ephesians 5:14-21)

The calling is clear- Easter people dwell in the light of the risen Savior! As we go, we walk in the light, and we shine the light in a world that many days seems to be overpowered with darkness.

If you’re not careful, you may be tempted to believe the light is dimming while the darkness gains ground as people lose their loved ones and jobs due to Covid-19. Add to that, the normal patterns of disease, cancer, accidents, and the like, and you may feel overwhelmed and depressed observing so much that seems out of balance in the world.

But God’s word to his people is clear, and I’ve been reminded afresh today of just how important it is to put this PIC into action in my life-

For me today, casting off darkness looks like this:

• Reading God’s Word first
• Turning off the news
• Putting down my phone
• Memorizing scripture
• PREPLANTing my mind with truth (from One Word is PEACE)

Ephesians 5:14-21 also calls me to wake up and allow the light of Christ to shine on me so I am praying this PIC as well-

The time to live in the light is now- wisely understanding and walking in the will of God. There are some specific behaviors included here that show me what a life in the light does-

• Ask to be filled with the Spirit. (18)
• Speak praise of God to others. (19)
• Give thanks always and for everything. (20)
• Submit to others out of reverence for Christ. (21)

As I wrote these things in my journal, I saw at the bottom of the page a personalized reference to Psalm 34:7. It read-

Delight yourself in the Lord, Jean, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

Underneath I posed this question to myself-

Is this what delighting in the Lord looks like- seeking to live in the light?

The answer left me with a simple prayer-

Father God, Thank you for waking me up to the light of life! Grow my love and devotion for your light; help me this day to dwell in the light of Christ!