Darkness

Continuing on my study of the word "walk" in my Bible, I read this verse in Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. 

Not that we walked in darkness, though we did. But we were sometimes darkness.

It sits heavy on the heart, but it is true. Everyone of us has been darkness to someone in this world. Maybe it was harsh words spoken, or a mean joke. Ignoring them or gossiping about them. We might have bullied others or attacked someone in writing. We have too often done the devil's dirty work for him. Stolen joy. Killed hope. Destroyed someone's faith.  In our selfishness, in our greed, in our jealousy, in our pride, in our sinfulness .......we have been darkness. 

But I am so thankful the verse doesn't stop there. "...but now are ye light in the Lord" Amen! The Lord didn't leave us as darkness. He made a way for us to be light. When we put our trust in Him, we become light in Him. And like a candle in the darkness we can bring hope to others. 

Lastly, the verse admonishes us to "...walk as children of light." Not just be light. But walk as children of the light. Walking requires action. There are many ways to describe walking . But in particular we are to walk as children, as children of the light. Children of God. 

Observe  how children walk.  Do they ever simply walk? Not usually. They hop or skip. Run or stomp. Children are very expressive in their walk. As children of the light, we need to be expressive. People in this world of darkness should see Christians as different. Their walk should be different. We should be recognized as a Christian by our walk.  

Children who have a good relationship with their parents enjoy being with them. They trust their parents. And when they cross busy streets or crowded areas with danger, they draw close to them. When they are in places of peace and joy, they may run to and fro, but they return to the parents to tell and show them their discoveries. And so should it be with us, as children of the light. We need to draw close with our Father. 

My closing thought is of a children's song. Many of you know it. "Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm gonna let it shine." Don't be a closet Christian. Our world has much darkness. We used to be a part of that darkness. Upon salvation we became light. We are no longer a part of that darkness. Shine for Christ! Let your love for Christ bring hope and light to others.