Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

Read

Ephesians 5:6-20 (NRSV)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 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.”

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflect

Transparency is a buzz word in today’s society. It is the understanding that those in leadership need to provide a level of transparency, an ability for others to look through them, in their work and in their lives so that others might know and be able to see what they are doing. It keeps people honest, some people say.

Christ is asking us to make our faith transparent so that others may be able to know and see what we do as Christians. All too often the words, I can’t believe he or she is doing that. Isn’t he or she supposed to be a Christian? are voiced.

Even though Christians and non-Christians judge the actions of others, it is not what we are supposed to do. Usually the bad actions are the ones about which people talk. Seldom do we hear people commenting about someone’s good actions.

Christ tells each of us to fill our lives with positive influences (Christ’s light) rather than live in the darkness (sin) so that when those around us come to “know” and “see” us we can be transparent. We can be filled with the Spirit and sing songs of praise, which is much more pleasing to God.

Pray

God of all illumination, I pray that I might be transparent to those around me. Help me to be someone who leads by example and shows your love through all my deeds and actions. Provide avenues for me to share my faith with others. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Go with God.