Today’s scripture: Ephesians 5:3-20 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
I know someone who had an executive position with a large company. She was very good at her job — but, over time, she found herself unfulfilled. She was very good at her job and was able to do it well, but there was something that was pulling at her heart. It was not easy to identify. One day, as she was brushing her teeth, something we all do, she felt called by God to something higher, but she was not certain what that was. As she started to search, she found herself looking through her Catholic church, and taking time on retreat at a monastery.
She soon found that she was being called away from her secular life, and living in a community, where living is simple, letting go of materialism that fills our world is necessary, tending to my relationship with God is the most important thing, and connecting with and doing for others is a regular occurrence. The transition was not easy. One still has feelings, just as Christ experienced. Sure, there are things that are missed from the life before. But she would not trade anything to go back to where she was. It was a long process, but she was able to let go of it, piece by piece.
I am not suggesting that we all live this kind of life. The purpose of sharing this story is really about the intent to live a more mature spiritual life. The words of verses 15 and 16 are powerful: “Be careful of how you live, … making the most of your time.” So many times we see the John 3:16 signs in the end zone shot of a football game or behind the goal of a basketball game, or people are concerned whether or not I am saved without looking at the signs of how we live. Words are cheap. Transformation is where it happens!
When Jesus is talking about being “born again” in John 3, he is telling Nicodemus that it is a “spiritual” rebirth. John 3:21 may summarize this idea the best: “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
I realize the issue here in the letter of today’s scripture is renouncing Pagan ways in the text. But what is this message really about? Verses 8-10:
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light — for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Doesn’t this sound like spiritual transformation? What is it that I need to give up that is keeping me from living more freely, and more mature spiritually, closer to Christ? Where am I in this process?
Thought for the day: Jesus, help me to be careful in how I live, and help me to make the most out of my time.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.