"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
'Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.'" Ephesians 5:13-14

Devotion

Wahhh! Wahhh! Wahhh!

The alarm clock is everyone's favorite sound in the morning, right? Or maybe you prefer the sun beaming through slits in the blinds for your early morning wake-up call. I'm not going to lie, I'm not much of a morning person. The word that comes to mind when I think of most of the things that wake me up is "annoyance."

One of my favorite roles at church camp as a young student pastor was going around and waking up the rooms of students. Throwing on the lights and blaring annoying wake-up songs was my go-to tactic for getting 14-year-old boys up and out of their beds, even if it was just to flip the light switch back off and lay back down. The way they sit up so alert, adrenaline pumping, is quite the picture!

It's this picture that comes to mind when I read Ephesians 5:13 and 14. Paul says, "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

'Wake up, sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.'"

Light is frequently used as an image of the Gospel, and gospel people in the New Testament. John 1:4-5 says, "In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Matthew 5:14-16 extends that light to believers. Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Light invades. It breaks in where it is given a crack. It seeps into the darkness and brings awakening. Jesus does the same thing. If you give him the chance, even the slightest opening, Jesus invades. He brings light to the darkness, hope where there is none, and life to dead things.

Will you give Jesus an opening in your life today? Will you allow his light to break through the darkness, open your eyes and awaken your spirit?

PRAYER

Jesus, invade our lives. Find your way into every space in our lives so we can allow even the smallest bit of space, and flood it with you. Wake us up. Sit us up, open-eyed to where your ways and our ways are at odds, and help us see how to follow you. And then allow us to be a light for those around us. In your name, Amen.

Daniel Rankin

Student Pastor | Crossings OKC

Resources:

• “Greater Than” sermon from Guest Pastor Bob Marvel
• Student Sunday sermon from Youth Pastor Daniel Rankin
• “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus” worship song