READING: Isaiah 25-29, Philippians 2
The world has gone a bit crazy. Had you told me 40+ years ago when I started ministry what kinds of things we would facing today, I probably would have looked at you funny—and perhaps even laughed at you. Many of us couldn’t even imagine at the time what our culture has become. We are living among, just as Paul described the first-century world, “a crooked and perverted generation” (Phil 2:15). It would be easy, in fact, just to “throw in the towel” and assume we can’t make much difference in this darkness.
Or, we can live like Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to live: without grumbling or arguing, blameless, pure, faultless. Unlike the Hebrews in the wilderness who grumbled all along the way, we are to fight against this tendency. Instead, we are to trust the work of God, grow in our attitude of Christlikeness, and show that Christlikeness in our growing, ongoing holiness. We must show the transforming presence of God in our lives by our conviction, our character, and our conduct. When we live that way, we will “shine like stars” in a dark world.
A crooked and perverse world needs that presence. So, today, rather than cower in fear and flee a rotten world, choose to be light in that world. Make a difference by living out the attitude of Christ.
PRAYER: “God, grant me opportunities to be a light in somebody’s darkness today.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Watch for these opportunities. Keep your spiritual eyes open.
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Isaiah 30-33, Philippians 3:1-4:1
