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| Tara, our daughter. |
Today is 14th day with Tara, our daughter, in ICU in Albuquerque for acute respiratory distress . Needless to say this has been a long, difficult two weeks! She is now stable but limited use of her arms and hands and practically no use of her torso and legs due to paralytic drugs while on life support. She is soon being released to a physical rehab center to begin her recovery process. Praise God!
Honestly, we would rather have not gone through ANY of this, including the countless hours in the ICU waiting room and sleepless nights by Tara’s bedside. The last thing we wanted to do was to pray for or minister to others while there. After all, Gayla and I were the ones that needed prayer and ministering to. Isn't that how we all are? In times of crisis, pain or difficulty we seem to always turn our focus inward. I am not saying that it isn't appropriate to care for ourselves in those moments, but as a Christian, we can never disconnect from what God has called us to be: light in a dark world.
Yes, we are here for our daughter, but God has used Gayla and I to bring light to those that are going through similar things or even death. We have prayed with and shared God’s Word with a man whose wife of 56 years slipped into eternity; a mother who is on the brink of loosing her nine year old son to cancer; and a young man who's dad suffered a stroke and is in critical condition. And a few moments ago, I had the privilege to pray with a young lady who's boyfriend is in the room next to Tara's struggling to stay alive after a gunshot wound.
These moments have put everything into perspective. We’ve not only been here for our daughter, but also for those God has placed in our path. We rejoice in the fact that Tara is alive and healing and that God has used us to be His light and messengers of hope to others.
Next time that you go through a crisis, face difficulties or even have a loved one slip into eternity remember that you have been created to shine. Go out into this dark world determined to "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) [NIV 84]
Read: Ephesians 5:11-21
Recite: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (v. 15-16)
Research:
(v. 10-14) It is important to avoid the “worthless deeds of evil and darkness” (any pleasure or activity that results in sin), but we must go even further. Paul instructs us to expose these deeds, because our silence may be interpreted as approval. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right.
(v. 14) This is not a direct quote from Scripture but was probably taken from a hymn well known to the Ephesians. The hymn seems to have been based on Isaiah 26:19; 51:17; 52:1; 60:1; and Malachi 4:2. Paul was appealing to the Ephesians to wake up and realize the dangerous condition into which some of them had been slipping into.
(v. 15-16) By referring to these days as “evil”, Paul was communicating his sense of urgency because of evil’s pervasiveness. We need this same sense of urgency today because our days are also difficult. We must keep our standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever we can, while we can.
(v. 18) Paul contrasts getting drunk with wine, which produces a temporary “high,” to that of being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy. Getting drunk is associated with the old way of life and its selfish desires. In Christ, we have a better joy, higher and longer lasting, to cure our depression, monotony, or stress. We should not be concerned with how much of the Holy Spirit we have but with how much of us the Holy Spirit has! Submit yourself daily to his leading and draw constantly on his power.
(v. 20) When feeling down or discouragd, you may find it difficult to give thanks. Take heart: in all things God works for our good if we love him and are called by him (Romans 8:28). Thank God, not for your problems, but for the strength he gives you and the Christ-like character he is building in you through the difficult experiences of your life. You can be sure that God’s perfect love will see you through.
(v. 21-22) Submitting to another person is an often misunderstood concept. It does not mean becoming a doormat. Even Christ -the one at whose name “every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10)–submitted his will to the Father. We honor Christ by following his example. When we submit to God, we are more willing to obey his command to submit to others, that is, to subordinate our rights to theirs. In a marriage relationship, both husband and wife are called to submit. For the wife, this means willingly following her husband’s leadership in Christ. For the husband, it means putting aside his own interests in order to care for his wife. Submission is rarely a problem in homes where both partners have a strong personal relationship with Christ and where each is concerned for the happiness of the other.
Relax: Have you ever been afraid of the dark? Why?
Reflect: (vv. 11-21) Look for key words, contrast and comparisons, purpose and result words. Ask the who, what, where, when and why questions and any other observations. See if you can come up with 10 observations.
Respond:
- (vv. 11-12) How are believers to expose the deeds of darkness in practical ways?
- (vv. 13-14) In what sense do these secret evil things done by wicked people become visible? What does (v. 14) have to do with exposing evil deeds in this world?
- (v. 16) This verse literally commands us to redeem the time. What does that mean?
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