Switch On the Light

Bible Reading:   Ephesians 5:8-14

Though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord.   Ephesians 5:8

Picture yourself strolling through a portrait art gallery. The room lights are on, but the spotlights that usually shine on the various paintings are off.

With the room lights on, you can see the portrait frames. You might even be able to make out some of the faces in the portraits. But only when the spotlights are flipped on and an intense light beams down on each painting can you see all the details—the facial expressions, the skin tones, the eye colors. Only when the spotlights are on can you see the people as the artists intended you to see them.

God shines his light on you—a light that shows who he created you to be. But before you see yourself clearly, you need to know how to turn on the lights.

You get light from three places:

Jesus Christ is your first source of light.John said that Jesus “gives light to everyone” (John 1:4). Jesus called himself the light of the world (see John 8:12). You flip on this light when you enter into a personal relationship with Christ. As your friendship grows deeper through the time you spend with Jesus in prayer, you see even more clearly that you are loved, valued, and competent.

God’s Word, the Bible, is another source of the light. David wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105, NIV). The more you open your mind and heart to the Word of God, the more light you enjoy.

Other believers are a source of God’s light. Jesus told his followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Being friends with God’s Son, the Light, fills you with light. As you and your Christian friends share the light of the Son of God and the Word of God with one another, you grow in your understanding of who you are. That’s a huge reason the Bible tells us, “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other” (Hebrews 10:25).

God wants you to know how he shines his light into your life so you can see yourself clearly for who you are—lovable, valuable, and capable. When you stick tight to Jesus, open your Bible, and grow close to other Christians, God’s light will shine into your life. Go ahead—flip the switch!

TALK: Do you want to see more clearly who you are in God’s eyes? How does he help you get into the light?

PRAY: God, flood us with your light as we read your Word and grow in our friendships with you and your people.

ACT: Pick a good habit to work on—talking with God, reading the Word, or spending time with Christian friends.