Children of Light

Have you ever been inside a dark cave?

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being enveloped by the black void of a deep cavern. The darkness surrounds you and no matter how hard you peer into the surroundings, nothing can be seen. However, when someone turns on a flashlight, or even strikes a match, the light can be a comforting and welcome sight.

This puts a spin on the idea we are “children of light” as Paul writes in Ephesians 5. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (vs. 8 NIV).

What does it look like to be a child of light? Paul continues, “(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord” (vs. 9-10). When you aim to uphold these things, and to please your Heavenly Father, the fruit of light will be evident to others.

Not only are we to glorify God, but Paul has another exhortation for his readers. “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (vs. 11).  We are called to reveal darkness for what it really is. And we are to cast it out, not only in the world, but within ourselves, too.

By seeking to produce the fruit of light and exposing the darkness, we will be beacons of hope in the dismal cave of life. God’s light beckons for the lost to come and become children of light as well.

Copyright 2011 by Molly Anderson. Use by permission only.

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See the Unseen

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be?

Super strength? Super speed? The ability to make technology work when it’s on the fritz? Something tells me the last one would make you the most popular hero.

Personally, I would pick flight and invisibility. What good is it to fly if everyone can see you? I would be rather disturbed if I saw a person cruising through the sky. You wouldn’t want to strike fear in the hearts of citizens (unless you’re a super-villain, in which case you should seek help).

But on a more serious note, there is a time when God calls us to “fix our eyes on…what is unseen” (II Corinthians 4:18 NIV). In other words, we need an X-ray vision of sorts, a “spiritual vision.”

When we’re struggling, tempted, or simply feeling down throughout our walk in life, God encourages us to “not lose heart…for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (vs. 16-17).

This is why we need spiritual vision. What we observe now is merely temporary; what’s to come is eternal. There are times when we need to remember God’s great plans for us, which sometimes can be hard to see.  Our vision can be strengthened through reading His Word, and clinging to His promises when we doubt.

Every follower of God should practice and hone their skills to see the unseen. Because one day, God, who is unseen, will become visible to all.

Copyright 2011 by Molly Anderson. Use by permission only.

What’s Your Worth?

How valuable are you?

Here’s something to ponder. Things are only as valuable as people say they are. The dollar has very little intrinsic value. It’s merely a slip of paper, but Americans use it for currency. Why? Because we have agreed the dollar holds value.

Imagine you were trapped on a desert island. But there’s good news. The island’s covered in diamonds. Sounds great at first, but think about it. What would you do with them? A diamond cannot provide food, give you shelter, or rescue you from the island. In other words, they are worthless.

So, back to the question. How valuable are you? Sometimes, people turn to friends, work, school, and loved ones for worth in their lives. But, those estimates are based on your talents, beauty, and success. All of which will fade away.

Here’s the thing, God values you. He thinks you’re special period. The beginning of the third chapter of first John bursts with praise “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (NIV)

We have value because God says we are His children.

It doesn’t matter who you are, what you know, and what you look or sound like…you are incredibly valuable because He says so. How valuable, you ask?

Let’s just say that God would rather die than not have you in His family. He values you so highly, that He would lower Himself to become a human and die one of the most painful deaths imaginable. All that so you would come to know Him as Father.

Your worth in God’s eyes, my friend, is priceless.

Copyright 2011 by Molly Anderson. Use by permission only.