Won't Let Satan "Poof"It Out: Ephesians 5 (Day 5)

Ephesians 5:1-2; 8-10 (Click here to read all of Ephesians 5)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  


For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. 

In all honesty, sometimes I am jealous of the spiritual lives of little children.  Children are so simple, so focused, so "clutter-free" in their faith.  I remember so vividly sitting in Sunday School, singing songs like "This Little Light of Mine" at the top of my lungs and with all of my heart.  And I remember getting to the part that says, "Won't let Satan 'Poof' it out, I'm gonna let it shine...." and I remember thinking so innocently, "I will NEVER let that Satan blow out my light for Jesus!!"

Flash forward.  Junior High.  Something happened to my light as it flickered dimly- sometimes barely noticeable.  Won over by the pressures around me, and the need to fit in, I allowed "that Satan" to poof it out.

Flash forward.  Freshman year of college.  Getting involved in relationships.  Feeling the need for love and acceptance.  Allowing sins to creep into my life that I never imagined would or could.  My love for myself won over my love for God.  And again...my light flickered, my testimony cracked and faded.

Flash forward. Today.  By the grace of God he has restored my little light...a light that many times in my past had almost been snuffed out completely.  A light that sometimes had a flame so low that many may not have even noticed it.  But, there are still moments.  Moments where my light is dim- no different from the people around me.  Moments where my selfishness takes over.  My apathy kicks into high gear.  Moments where the temptations of Satan "poof" out my light for just a while...and moments where in my embarrassment or unpreparedness- I choose to" poof" it out myself  ("Hide it under a bushel? NO! I'm gonna let it shine...")

I am talking about the gift of light today, because it is such a vital gift in the life of the believer.  According to Ephesians 5, we are set apart as "Children of the Light".  Set apart...meaning, there has GOT to be a difference between you and the rest of the world.  You see, being set apart means so much more than simply "not sinning".  There have got to be fruits of the light permeating from every aspect of who we are: goodness, righteousness, truth....

Ephesians 4:17-5:21 is one long list of what it looks like to be different, to shine your light.  Practical ways that we can be set apart in this world- carrying the light of Christ into dark places by our very actions.  I mean, Paul tells us straight up in Ephesians 5 that we need to be careful how we live- making the most of every opportunity to stand out, to represent Jesus. 

This is the precious gift we have in Christ.  The gift of His Light.  The gift that allows others to watch our lives and say to themselves: "There's something different about him...There's something different about her...There's something different about them."

In every aspect of your lives.  From what you talk about, to what you watch, to how you dress.  From what you joke about, to how you deal with your emotions, to the things you desire in life.  From your individual life, to your friendships, to your marriage...God's light has got to shine in each and every facet.  There has got to be a difference...and people will notice.

In fact, I personally believe that one of the greatest tests of being a light is just that: have people noticed?  Has anyone asked you about your life?  Has anyone commented that the way you speak, dress, live is something they have noticed?  Something they have admired?  Something they have longed to posses? 

Maybe it's time we all do some soul-searching.  Maybe it's time we take a moment to assess our light; to test it's flame; to see how strongly it's still burning. 

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If you are just joining us on our 7 day tour of Ephesians, we have been learning about the riches we have in Christ. If you would like to review the gifts God is opening our eyes to through this study, feel free to look back at the past 4 days of posts:  Power, Life, Love, Purpose.