Ephesians 5: Children of light

Captain Alice Nunn encourages us to shine as we follow in Christ’s steps.

Key text

• Ephesians 5:8–20

Every Advent, I am in awe of the way Jesus was sent into the world. ‘Light of the world,/ You stepped down into darkness’, as the Tim Hughes song (SASB 114) reminds us. I am in awe that the God of creation chose to reveal himself in the hope that his creation would see and believe that their Creator wanted to have relationship with them – that creation would no longer walk in darkness but live in the light of God. As we, God’s people, seek to know our Creator and to make him known, we are called to a way of life that brings wholeness.

Our study passage brings a calling to each one of us to ‘live as children of light’ (v8). It is a beautiful reminder of our identity as children of God and our responsibility to bring light to our darkened world.

Pause and reflect

• In the busyness of Advent, take a minute to pause and remember that you are a child of God. 
• Remember that your Creator loves you and invites you to spend time with him.

In verse 8, Paul reminds readers of their past – ‘for you were once darkness’ – and of what they have become, ‘now you are light in the Lord’. In verse 14, we see another contrast – death and life – with the dramatic call: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’

Each of us will have our own journey of faith. Some experience life-changing darkness-to-light moments. For others, it is more of a growing awareness of Jesus. You might, like me, sometimes be a bit of a muddled mess who Jesus has not given up on. Whatever your story or circumstance, the light of Jesus is always present. Our awareness of him, however, can be the thing that wavers, especially when we are feeling surrounded by darkness.

God can teach us through nature. Jesus told his disciples to ‘consider the lilies of the field’ (Matthew 6:28 English Standard Version). I am reminded that certain types of flowers turn towards the sun and even close at night when the sun has gone. Just as flowers need the sunlight for growth, we need the light of Jesus if we are to grow to be like him. In whatever darkness we are from – or surrounded by – Jesus invites us to turn towards him. This is where we find our wholeness, peace and growth.

Pause and reflect

• Are there any parts of your life that you are trying to hide in the shade? 
• Where do you need the light of Jesus to shine?

As Jesus stepped into the world to be light, we are called to continue his mission. As I write this, our corps community café is open with a wonderful team of staff and volunteers who love people. They listen, care and help where they can. They see the reality of the darkness in our world.

That could be a mother attempting to rebuild her life after years of abuse and doing her best to raise her children, protecting them from her experience as a child, hoping they will never know her pain. Or a retired gentleman who has lost his wife of many years, facing loneliness but also at imminent risk of homelessness, trying to keep the twinkle in his eye while attempting to live on a pension. Or a daughter desperately seeking to love and care for her mum but struggling to continue due to the mental, emotional and financial burden, trying to be brave and feeling guilty as she comes to terms with needing to accept the help of social care.

This darkness can feel overwhelming at times, but what always hits me is the honour to see, sit alongside and listen to people who have also been created in God’s image. In these moments I get to see Jesus’ light shine. The way people keep going when everything seems against them, the moments when someone is honest and they are accepted, listened to and fully seen. These are the beautiful moments of light that remind me Jesus is very much alive in our world.

Pause and reflect

• Do you know, serve and love someone who is finding life really difficult? 
• Who might need to experience the light of Jesus at this time?

As The Salvation Army, we are called to be like Jesus and live out our calling, whatever title or clothing we have. That’s true not only here in Jersey: across the world, there are similar stories of people who are part of the Salvation Army family stepping into darkness and being the light in the world. 

A huge thing that I have learnt is that the light isn’t me – it’s Jesus. It is Jesus shining in, through and around us, as we share these precious moments of light.

Pause and reflect

• Read verses 15 to 20 of our study passage. How can you live out being one of the ‘children of light’?

I cannot help but come back to love. When we love God and accept that we are beloved children of God, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit of God who enables us to follow our calling. The Message paraphrases Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14 so beautifully: ‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world.’

What an amazing calling for a muddled mess like me!