Live as Children of the Day

At Glyndley Manor we are privileged to have outdoor swimming pool. Even though it is not heated many of our team, guests and ministry team take the plunge for a swim. There are people who have even learned to swim whilst staying at the Manor. We have benches, patio chairs and even the odd sun lounger round the pool and many enjoy sitting round the pool at break times. It is so nice to be outside in the sunshine whilst chatting and drinking coffee. Not so long ago I was asked to host one of our Restoration Weeks, it was during this week whilst sitting round the pool that God spoke to me about today’s verse.

During the morning break we had been sitting round the pool in various groups chatting and laughing. Then the bell rang indicating that it was time to return to the conference room for the next teaching session. Two ladies had been sitting together on a bench, and as they got up to go one pointed out to other she had left her yogurt pot on the ground. As the other lady turned to pick it up she said, “Oh I forgot we have to do things properly here, living in London I am used to just leaving things”. Laughing the two ladies went inside, with the yogurt pot, for the next session. Although a small seemingly insignificant moment of an overheard conversation it has stayed with me and I have pondered it in my heart. As I have pondered I have been challenged by its implications.

It has occurred to me that we all do just as this lady did, as so often we become complacent in the place we are. We become marred by the behaviour and attitudes of those around us and take on their behaviour. I mean, if it is ok for others it must be ok for me to do. Even in our churches, or working in Christian Ministries, we can be drawn into things that are not quite in line with God’s truth. Maybe we are allowing the things of this world to cloud or muddy our lives through the things we watch on TV, what we look at on the internet, the books we read, or the films we watch. It could be that, in less obvious ways, our clothes have slogans or pictures that are suggestive. Perhaps we share the attitudes of the world towards people groups and religions, and are quick to judge those who are different. Maybe we are swayed by whatever teaching we hear, without testing it against what God actually says.

Our verses today tell us we are children of the light, and we need to be alert and clearheaded. We have been taken out of the kingdom of darkness, and it is our responsibility to live as children of the light; to hold fast to His word and truth, and test everything against it. We need not be afraid or live in fear of the world today, but we do need to stand up and be a light in the darkness. If there are things in your life that you think may not be in line with God’s truth, then talk to Him. Ask Him to show you what is not right and teach you what is right. ‘This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow”’ Isaiah 48:17).

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are faithful and truth. Thank You that You have rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and that I am now in the Kingdom of light. I am sorry that there are things that I know I do, or am part of, that are not in line with You. I am sorry that I have allowed myself to be muddied by this world. Please, Lord, forgive me. Teach me Your ways and show me Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.