Journeying Through AdventSample

Living as a Child of the Light

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." ~1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NIV)

As Christians, the great gift we have received is life in the light of Jesus Christ. In his light we find our salvation, our freedom, and our purpose. We find belonging and we find joy. We find peace. The alternative is a world bound by despair and distress. It is a world who believes that darkness is part of its design. A world in turmoil. In Christ however, we know that we belong to the day. We hold onto our identity as children of God. We know that we have been created by the love of a heavenly father.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11, Paul writes, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

As Kingdom workers, we care for the light we have received so we may share it with those around us. We care for our minds and tend to our faith. We soak in the comfort and grace of our salvation. We build each other’s confidence and encourage self-worth. We hope to show those in despair that they are not made of darkness, but rather, they too are children of the light.

At dusk and dawn, we walk alongside one another guided by the Holy Spirit and cloaked with faith, love, and hope. We pray that one day, a little ray of light may linger in the darkness and awaken the tender, beloved soul of another. We pray that one day, every person will know and believe that they too have been created through the love of God. We pray for a Kingdom of everlasting, flowing light, reconciled fully to the Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for being the light, and for bringing us into the day. Lord, we pray that those living in darkness may stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in accepting the gift of your light.

Written by Nikki Prohaska (Wesley Seminary Master of Arts in Ministry Student)