The Armor of Light

     “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up
     from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The
     night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put
     on the armor of light.”
          Romans 13:11 – 12

What a mess the nation and world are in. What a broken, twisted and scary place we find ourselves in. It is easy to become discouraged and to wonder if things will ever change. But change is already here!

Jesus Christ ushered in a new way. His life, death and resurrection have brought forth the change that will rock the world as we continue to grow in it.

Paul says, “understanding the present time….”, This present time seems full of horror, but he adds, “The hour has already come…”, it is here, the kingdom of God is present, and we need to “wake up” and begin building. We have the salvation of Jesus Christ. We have the forgiveness of sins and through the Holy Spirit, we have the grace to make a difference in this tortured world.

It “is nearer now than when we first believed.” The Kingdom of God is at hand and we have an active role to play in this very moment. It is easy to be discourage and to despair that anything we might offer will fall short. But the promise of Christ is that He is with us through it all. As we build the kingdom, through love, compassion and spiritual works, we have no time for doubt or fear.

Today is the day that we bring light into the world. “Let us put aside the deeds of darkness”; stop grumbling, worrying and fighting amongst ourselves and put Jesus first. The darkness we encounter is not just of the “rules” of being a good Christian. They are the disappointment, the discouragement and the dismay that seeps in when we see the world around us falling apart. Stop living in those moments and begin to live in Christ.

In this season of “Light” that we celebrate, pull that light into yourselves and let it shine out into the world. Our works are not in vain. Our love is not hidden. Our compassion is not soon forgotten. These are the building blocks of the growth of the Kingdom of God. As we pray, let it be in earnest reflection of the role we are to play in the planting of the fields.

As we serve, let it be selfless and consuming of our whole body so that we truly become vessels of Christ’s power.

As we sacrifice, let it be complete surrender of our will unto the will of the Creator and let us consider it nothing, but devotion to the King of kings.

We are called to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) so that we can stand. And here in Romans, Paul calls it the “armor of light”. We are not only to gird ourselves for the battles of this world, but to bring in the light of the Holy One so that all can see the kingdom of God growing here and now.

We are a light unto the world. Let us fully dress ourselves in that light and become repairers of the broken world. Let us become gateways to understanding the peace and passion of Christ. We can no longer rest, waiting for someday, the message is clear, today is the day of the Lord!
 
Kathy Hendrix