Children of the Day

I’ve had the blessing of being a mom now for nearly 8.5 years. It’s been a wild and crazy adventure and I STILL feel like I am figuring things out as I go most days. My children have gone through many different phases — one of the most recent is the one where I’m tucking them into bed and they ask, “What are we doing tomorrow?!” As if I have any earthly idea (like I said, still figuring things out as I go). I have two choices in this moment — one, give them something to look forward to or — two, don’t answer and leave them in suspense. I’ve learned that giving them expectations to look forward to the next day can sometimes backfire completely if I don’t keep my word. So, usually, I’ll say something like, “I don’t know yet, we’ll see!” This satisfies them for the moment. Until the morning comes and I’m dog-piled awake with the same looming question… “What are we doing today?!”

You see, my children see opportunity with every sunrise.
And I love their anticipation for each new day.

I think there is a reason that Paul refers to us in 1 Thessalonians 5 as “children of the day.” Once our eyes have been opened to the spiritual and the truth of Christ has pierced our hearts — we are no longer living in darkness, unaware of our need for a Savior. We know the truth — that our flesh is weak and has a propensity towards sin — and we long for the day.

“For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:5

“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:8

It is a beautiful thing to be children of the day, but it is also very weighty. Our lives are now on display for all to see. In fact, we may not even realize the people that are watching — but there is always a spiritual battle going on, whether we speak a word of it or not. Just recently, my husband and I went out to dinner and met some new people. Before we ever spoke a word or Josh shared that he is a local pastor (and invited them to church), one man said — “I was going to ask if you were Christians. I just knew.”

“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.” — Romans 13:13

Christians, we must remember that we are children of the day and walk in the light we were meant to carry. What do our actions and reactions tell people about what we say we believe? There are too many people sitting in darkness, without hope, and this must stir in us a compassion and awaken our souls to carry the flame that is burning deep inside.

Two wise men said it best in these quotes:

“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light a candle.”
— John F Kennedy

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drown out hate; only love can do that.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.

I’m praying for a spiritual awakening for our city, for our country — and for the world. What if the best way you can bring a little light to the world today is by choosing to be patient? Or to bring peace to a chaotic situation? I know it may not sound radical, but it might be exactly what God chooses to use to bring someone out of darkness.

What are we going to do today… to make Christ known to a world that desperately needs Him? There is always opportunity with every sunrise.

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” — Ephesians 5:15-16