I was challenged yesterday to think about what areas in my life need to be illuminated. Am I hiding in the darkness or am I living in the light? How can I release my fears, my unspoken expectations, my unhealthy habits?  If I am willing to release aspects of my life that keep me in darkness, who will be changed when I choose to SHINE?

“You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light…for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the people who lived in Ephesus. The themes of his letter were the redemptive work of God in Christ and unity in the church. The ancient city of Ephesus was a perfect background for the themes of Paul’s letter. Ephesus was an important port city on the west coast of Asia. The great Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) was located near the port. The Ephesians worshipped Artemis as their fertility goddess. The people who lived in Ephesus during Paul’s day were fascinated with magic and the occult. Ruins of the temples of the Divine Caesar and the goddess Roma were also discovered near the Agora. The city was a bustling economic center with a huge theater that held 20,000 people. The wealthy members of the city lived in lavish terrace houses that overlooked the agora (marketplace) and the famous Library of Celsus, the Harbor stadium and the baths.

Two weeks ago, we walked through the excavated ruins of Ephesus. I thought about how Paul came into this thriving metropolis in 60 AD and shared with the residents of Ephesus about the saving light of Christ and the mystery of …

Image from http://wallpapers.7savers.com/before-the-storm-wallpapers_7196_1600x1200.jpg

Alot of things have been going on in life lately.  I haven’t been directly experiencing anything too crazy… except for normal life, which in a sense, always has its fair share of chaos. But I have been witnessing many storms happening to people very close to me. And because of the way I am wired up, I feel very deeply for the circumstance, the pain, the fear, the doubt, whatever emotion is joining that experience.  I want to help, I want to be there for the people, I want to lend a helping hand.  But in these certain situations, the distance is a little too far to stop by and drop in to help.  So it leaves me feeling a little helpless. Which in reality, it is not my fault if I cannot be there to chip in. It is a blessing to love to serve and love to help out, but I can’t take that to a whole other level of obligation.  If I believe God’s power is as mighty and powerful as God’s word and the truth I believe says it is, I have to believe in that power in situations where I feel helpless also.  Ultimately I have nothing to give in and of my own power.  My own strength, my own love for people, and my own servants heart belongs to the Lord.  So out of a position of gratitude, honor, and praise to the Lord I can sometimes be of help to people.  But I forget sometimes the best thing I can do is pray. Pray for them, pray with them, pray about them… Prayer is powerful.

How do I find peace in this chaos?

So if God is the perfect peace in the storms of the Bible, he can also be …

Time lines of history buzz through my brain colliding with present day experiences that bring biblical truth to life. As our incredible opportunity of walking on a two week journey following the footsteps of the apostle Paul is coming to its conclusion, my heart is filled with a new passion for examining how Biblical truth intersects with our present day culture. We have witnessed two cultures full of colorful people who have had a rich heritage throughout the centuries. We have learned how the God of the bible has made Himself know to these people groups and how the movement of the early church was spread through Asia Minor ( modern day Turkey) and Greece during the first century. This was in large part a result of the obedience of the apostle Paul and his zeal for spreading the gospel.

Early cave church from 4th century AD in Eastern Turkey

How am I going to take what I have learned home with me to be an influencer for truth? How can I help shape the culture that is moving so rapidly away from a Christian worldview? 

I will be pondering these questions as I summarize my notes and reflect on my new knowledge and experiences. But for tonight, as I fall asleep and begin my journey back to the reality of real life at home, I will always remember this trip as a pivotal experience that strengthened my faith walk…….more lessons to come!

How can you be a messenger of truth in your circle of influence? How is God revealing himself to you in your culture today?

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