Today’s devotional in our Lenten Devotionals By Us and For Us has been prepared by Rhonda Holt. Rhonda shares with us all a great reminder of what it means to Live in the Light of Christ. Thanks Rhonda for sharing your heart.
Devotionals By Us and For Us
Contributed by Rhonda Holt
Living in the Light
Ephesians 5: 1-9
1Imitate God therefore, in everything you do, because you are his children.2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice to us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes- these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Just as children naturally imitate what they see and hear, we, too, are constantly influenced by what we allow into our lives. When we teach young ones to clap, smile, and speak, their first words and actions reflect repeated exposure. The question for us is: What kind of example are we setting? Are we showing them love and light, or are we letting them see hate and darkness?
If we truly want the best for our children—guiding them toward safety and goodness—then we must choose to imitate God’s light in everything we do, say, and watch. Our actions, words, and choices become the patterns they repeat. Should we fill our homes with gratitude to God and kindness, or with crude jokes, gossip, and negativity? When we use inappropriate language or consume media that celebrates what is wrong, we not only expose ourselves but also our children to the darkness of the world. The more we accept these things, the easier it becomes to make excuses for behaviors that are not pleasing to God.
Darkness is the realm where evil hides—it thrives when we think no one is watching. But God is always present, seeing our actions in every moment. The old saying goes, “It’s eleven o’clock, do you know where your children are?”—reminding us that evil often works in secrecy and shadow. We must recognize darkness for what it truly is: evil that aims to separate us from God’s purpose.
Instead, we are called by Scripture to be the light—to fill our lives with what is good, right, and true. By choosing to expose the darkness, refusing to excuse or participate in it, and intentionally living out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we not only protect our own hearts but also teach our children to walk in God’s light. Let us be thankful, seek what is pure, and shine brightly, exposing evil for what it is and guiding others toward the hope and goodness found in God.
Be the light in someone’s day, and make no room for darkness.
Thoughts from the Edges 
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