Light Living - Part 2

A couple weeks ago, a trip to Theater in the Park sparked a surprising insight. As the actors stepped onto the stage in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the beautifully painted backdrop suddenly came alive. It wasn’t until the characters stood in contrast to it that its beauty really stood out. That contrast—between foreground and background—turned a pretty picture into a powerful scene. It’s a reminder that often we only notice light when it’s placed against something dark. The same principle is true in life: darkness often reveals beauty we’d otherwise overlook.

Growing up near city lights, I never thought much about stars. They didn’t seem impressive. But years later in college, sitting in a planetarium, I saw how vibrant the stars could be—until I stepped back outside, where the real night sky was too washed out by artificial light to reveal their beauty. Then came Bolivia. Deep in the jungle, without streetlights or city glow, I finally saw it: a sky full of brilliant stars. And that’s when it hit me—those stars didn’t suddenly appear. They were always there. But only in deep darkness could I truly see them shine.

That vivid night sky revealed a deeper truth: darkness can be the very thing that highlights light. In Ephesians 4, Paul gives us that same picture. He writes to a beloved church, encouraging them not just to survive in a dark culture but to shine within it. He contrasts the confusion, shame, and hard-heartedness of the world with the Spirit-empowered life of believers. Our culture can feel overwhelming—filled with deceit, rage, division, and brokenness—but instead of retreating, Paul calls us to reflect Christ right in the middle of it.

The first way we shine, Paul says, is through honesty. “Stop telling lies,” he writes in Ephesians 4:25. In a world where half-truths and image-management are the norm, telling the truth is revolutionary. Deception—whether subtle or bold—tears at the fabric of community. But truth? Truth builds trust, heals wounds, and points to Jesus. As Paul reminds us, truth isn’t optional for believers—it’s foundational. Every relationship we have, especially in the body of Christ, depends on it.

Next, Paul addresses anger. He doesn’t say “Never be angry”—he says, “Be angry, but do not sin.” There’s righteous anger, like Jesus had in the temple. But more often, our anger is reactive and rooted in offense or unmet expectations. When left unchecked, that anger becomes a foothold for the enemy. Paul urges us to deal with it quickly, to bring it to Jesus. In a culture addicted to outrage, Spirit-powered self-control is a light that stands out.

Paul goes further: “If you are a thief, quit stealing.” But he doesn’t stop there—he invites believers to give. Work isn’t just about provision—it’s about purpose. Our hands aren’t made for grasping but for giving. Whether we’ve stolen time, credit, attention, or opportunity, the call is the same: be generous. Use what God has entrusted to you to bless others. In a world that clutches tightly, open-handed generosity is light.

Words matter. They build or break, bless or bruise. Paul reminds us not to use foul or abusive language but to speak what is good and helpful—words that encourage. Why? Because our speech carries spiritual weight. Reckless words grieve the Holy Spirit, who has sealed us as God’s own. In a noisy world filled with sarcasm and sharpness, gracious, seasoned speech shines like light on a hill.

Finally, Paul calls us to take off the old self—bitterness, rage, slander—and put on the new: kindness, compassion, forgiveness. This isn’t behavior modification. It’s transformation. We forgive because we’ve been forgiven. We’re kind because the Spirit is making us like Jesus. We don’t need to perform to shine—we simply need to reflect who we already are in Christ. And sometimes the very darkness we dread is the backdrop God uses to show the world His light through us.

This week, ask the Holy Spirit: Where are You calling me to shine? Is it in truth, forgiveness, self-control, generosity, or speech? Don’t try to tackle it all. Just start with one step. Because you weren’t made to blend in—you were made to shine. The darker the backdrop, the brighter your light can be. Let that truth guide you, not just on Sunday, but every day. It’s the Jesus Way.