Walk in the Light
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 ESV
I want to walk in the light. Don’t you? I’ve been pondering what it means to walk in the light, and what motivates us to walk with Jesus–to read the bible, pray, attend church, share Christ with others, and serve. On Sunday we had Women’s Bible Study after church, and a regular attender started to tell me why she couldn’t attend. I really didn’t want to hear her reasons, and later I reflected on why I responded that way. I realized I am tired of pushing, prodding, checking in, and urging people to come to church, to attend bible study, and get involved in other ways. Those of you who have leadership roles in the church can probably identify with me. But I’m tired.
Why do we attend church, have devotions, pray? Is it because we are drawn to Jesus, we want to walk in the light? Or is it because we feel like we should, we want to be seen, we want to please others? Or is it some combination thereof?
I was in a meeting on campus last week, on the floor of the President’s Office, and this is what the ladies’ bathroom looks like!
I noticed these plants in the bathroom by the window. Plants tend to lean into the light, so much so that when plants are in the window they need to be rotated to even them out. But look at the branch in the middle. It is leaning way over, all the way into the light. While the other plants are mostly vertical, this branch is seeking out the light. It seems it would do anything to get to the light.
That’s how I want to live my life. I want to do anything I can to get to the light, to get to Jesus, to live in His light. I want to be like that branch, single-hearted in my quest to live in the light.
Won’t you join me?
I will. I need Him, “every hour.” More than that, I want to know Him. Love the picture.
Thanks, Luwana. We’re in this journey of faith together .
Good Word and yes serving in ministry with my husband the constant begging wears on us. I want to lean into the Light and pray others would desire that as well.
Laurie, it’s a difficult balance for me- knowing God has called me to serve, and also knowing it’s the Holy Spirit that works, not me. It’s sometimes hard being a pastor’s wife.
I am with your Katie. I want to live in His light, and let it shine. Although office politics are often dampening, I want to be positive.
Amen, Iris!