Devotion #3: In The Light
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” Romans 13:12-13 (NIV)
Recently, my teenage daughter asked about the type of music I listened to when I was her age. Before she even got the question out of her mouth, I had my iTunes open, pulling up songs from decades ago and giving her quite a history lesson of all the rad music from the 90s and early 2000s. Most of the songs she laughed at (I did, too), but there were a few that have proved timeless. As I scrolled through my old albums and playlists, I was reminded of a song that I once held dear: “In the Light” by DC Talk. As I listened to it, the words hit me with the same mix of conviction and hope as they did thirty years ago:
As I think through the lyrics, I am reminded of Romans 13:12-13. Paul’s call to leave behind the deeds of darkness and walk in the light resonates with the song’s cry for authenticity and holiness. Both the song and the Scripture remind me that living in the light of Christ is not just a one-time decision but a daily surrender.
One set of lyrics from “In the Light” have convicted me since the day I first heard them:
Who would have thought that thirty years later, this would still be a struggle? This disease of self, my flesh, is wickedly selfish. Even when I strive to live righteously and rely on my own strength, I will always fall short. Whether it is my pride, impatience, or fear of letting others see my flaws, this struggle reminds me of how much I need Christ. Paul’s words in Romans speak to this battle. The “deeds of darkness” that he mentions are not just external sins like sexual immorality and drunkenness; they are also internal attitudes and habits that hinder us from the good things God has for us. They are things like the jealousy we harbor, the grudges we cling to, and the selfishness that quietly drives our decisions. It is easy to excuse these hidden things away. The song lyrics speak to this when they say:
The great news is that we do not have to fight this battle alone. We have a Savior who calls us to step into His light where transformation is possible. Paul tells us to “put aside the deeds of darkness.” I love how the NLT version translates this when it says, “So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” Get rid of those dirty rags! It is so easy to keep parts of our lives hidden in the shadows, like things that we do not want others (or even God) to see. Secrecy thrives in darkness, but just because the dirt cannot be seen does not mean it is not there. It is when we expose these things and step into the light that we can experience true freedom. The night is nearly over, and the day is near! Now is the time to stop hiding in the dark and surrender your struggles to the Lord.
Paul’s challenge to “behave decently, as in the daytime” reminds me that living in the light means putting ourselves on full display. This light is not just for the individual; we were made to reflect the Lord’s love and truth to others. The world is watching, and our life is a testimony! When we live authentically in the light, others can see the hope and joy we have in Christ shining through. As the song says, it is then that we will “shine like the stars in the heavens!” As we continue to apply the truth of God’s Word to our lives, let us ask Him to expose the darkness we are hiding in. May we leave the night behind us and walk in the light of Christ. As for me, “All I want is to be in the light.”