Romans 13:11-14

Scripture Verse

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² 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. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

 Walking in the Light

My posture significantly improved by learning how to dance. This did not happen overnight, but confidence in how to move grew with time. Closely related is trust in my experience in how to communicate as a dance couple. Whenever this trust is broken, I hunch, look downwards, and dance hard. But when connection is there, it feels like gliding over the dance floor.

Waking up and putting on the armor of light I connect to walking confidently in faith – a way of living that I aspire to, praying that I may increasingly adopt this attitude. God equips us by being trustworthy – revealed in countless examples in the Bible, in experiences from people throughout history, those close to us and in our own lives.

What action does Paul call us to in the knowledge of “the day [being] almost here”? It is not to retreat from the world and its responsibilities. We are called to behave decently and – looking at the previous passages – love one another. When we act in love, we can do so with confidence and in daylight and there is no need to hide. Darkness is for sinful habits and thoughts that lead us away from God, that we know are harmful. Wearing an armor of light makes us visible in our community, spreading the love we first experienced through Jesus Christ.

Growing up confidence, trust and love takes time. It asks us to make the conscious decision to step out of darkness into the light. Let us go out today confidently wearing the armor of light; learn how to live in the light, trust God and love our neighbors. Listen to the song “Shine Jesus Shine” (sing it, if you like). What effect does this have on your posture?