SHINE ANYWAY

SHINE ANYWAY

READ:
Ephesians 5:1-10

You are light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light.
-Ephesians 5:8

To be honest,  I wasn't happy to be making another trip to the store.  For the previous 4 weeks, my wife and I had been trying to get a refund for a bad refrigerator.  As I spoke with the manager-again-it seemed that we were heading down another dead-end road.  As we talked, I wondered if we would ever get our money back, but I tried to be gracious.

At one point the manager said, "By now, customers are usually yelling at me, but you've been so patient."  Then he said, "Let's try something else." He asked me some questions and punched some numbers into a cash register.  After a short delay-and some stories about irate customers-the machine spit out a receipt showing a refund!  Our appliance nightmare was over.  "Thanks for being so good to work with,"  he said as we parted ways.

While I think being nice when I didn't feel nice helped in this processes, getting refunds is not why we should show kindness to others.  The reason is that as Christians we are to reflect the light of Jesus (Ephesians 5:8) on everyone-whether it's an irate neighbor, a bumbling waiter, or a department store manager.  Our speech and behavior are to be a positive witness (Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 4:6).  Are you facing a conflict?  Let Jesus' light shine through. -Dave Branon

As people of the Lord we're called
To follow in His way;
And then all those who watch our lives
Will see Him on display. -Sper
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       People are attracted to Christ
When you shine His light from your life.

INSIGHT
Paul gives the church in Ephesus instruction on how to live daily life.  Between exhorting the Ephesians to imitate Christ's love (vv. 1-2), and reminding them that they have been changed by the light of the Lord (vv. 8-10), Paul gives a snapshot of a life transformed by Christ.  Christian commitment affects all of our behavior, from our attitudes toward our speech, which goes beyond simple avoidance of profanity, to sexual behavior (vv. 3-4).  Christians are to be different from non-Christians in every area of their life, pursuing behaviors that please God (v.10).

Have a blessed evening.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity and Peace