By Emily Kauffman, a junior interdisciplinary major from Archbold, Ohio
Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14 (NRSV)
The message stated in Ephesians 5:8-14 is clear, folks.
The time is now.
Paul is writing to the people of Ephesus to let go of the “useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness” in order to follow the way, the truth and the life of Jesus.
As we think about what the barren pursuits of darkness may look like in our own lives, I think the lyrics of Audrey Assad’s song titled “I Shall Not Want” offer us a few examples of what we may be called to let go.
“I Shall Not Want”
From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God
From the need to be understood
From the need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
From the fear of serving others
From the fear of death or trial
From the fear of humility
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
May we find the courage to kneel before the cross offering our murk, our darkness, our brokenness this Lenten season. And may we be so bold as to open our hearts and minds to the ways God is desiring to work in and through us to bring the bright light of Christ to our dark and messy world.
“So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”
Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14 (NRSV)
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”