Understand
What The Will
Of The Lord Is
Let
no one deceive you with empty words, for because these things the wrath of God
comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them.
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children
of light – for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right
and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the
unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even
to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light
becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it
says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Be
careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of
the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what
the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:6-17
The
evening can be a favorite time for many people. It can be a time to look back
on the day, and reflect on the events of the day – whether good or bad. Take a
walk. Take time for careful thought and evaluation, for thanksgiving and for
prayer.
Our
Lord had a similar practice during His earthly ministry. As the end of a wearying
and demanding day, He went up on a mountain by Himself for moments of
reflection and prayer in the presence of His Father.
The
value of the quiet presence of our heavenly Father and the careful examination
of how we have engaged life on a given day has great significance. This may
have been the goal of the apostle Paul’s challenge for
us to redeem the time, in other words to make sure we are making the best use
of the time God gives us for living and serving.
As
the day winds to a close, take some time for quiet reflection. In the serenity
of the evening, we can, in God’s presence, get a more accurate perspective on
life and how we are living it.
There will be more reflection of Jesus
when there is
more reflection on Him.
Our Daily Bread –