Walk as Children of Light
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. (Isa. 60:1 ESV)
In midsummer, it’s pleasant to forget how I will mourn when I suddenly notice the daylight hours shortening. By December, I’m counting the days until the winter solstice. Even if I can’t see daylight increasing by mere minutes, I know it’s happening. Light!
We were made for light.
There will come a day when “night will be no more” and we “need no light of lamp or sun,” because the Lord God will be our light. Until then, the eyes of our hearts can be enlightened, and we can walk as children of light.
In the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he tells them he is praying that God will give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of their hearts enlightened, that they may know the hope to which they are called; that they may know the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and that they may know the immeasurable greatness of his power toward those who believe.
Paul goes on to say that through the stewardship of God’s grace, he was given insight into the mystery of Christ, which was being revealed in his time. This grace was given to him “to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:8-10 ESV).
The next time he mentions light, Paul says, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:8-11 ESV).
In this letter, light is always mentioned in conjunction with knowledge, perception, wisdom, or discernment. The eyes of our hearts are enlightened so that we may know our hope, our inheritance, and God’s power. The mystery of Christ was revealed to Paul so we could perceive what has been made known, including the manifold wisdom of God. We are to try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord and not walk like the Gentiles, in the futility of their minds, with darkened understanding, being alienated because of ignorance.
The fruit of light is all that is good and right and true. Fruit can’t grow without light. Fruit that doesn’t grow and mature rots or dries up before it does anyone any good. Discernment and wisdom come with maturity, and with them we will learn how and where to walk as children of light.
Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:14-17 ESV)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:14-19 ESV)
Scripture for Reflection
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV)
“The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” (Isa. 60:19-20 ESV)
Reach for More
The first step toward wisdom and maturity is prayer. Ask God to teach you to perceive what is good and right and true. Then read his Word. If you have been reading but feel you aren’t growing, try reading from a translation that is unfamiliar. Hearing familiar verses and passages with different vocabulary and cadence can help you perceive meaning that hasn’t been clear before.
Through the gift of a faithful mother and grandmother, grew up knowing Jesus as a friend. Married for nearly two-thirds of her life, there has been time for several seasons, from homeschooling to owning a coffee shop. She has three grown children and nine grandchildren. An element of this season is writing about literature and life at Plumfield and Paideia.
