But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV
Belong to the Day
This past June 21 was summer solstice, the day in the Canadian year with the most hours of sunshine. The first day of Astronomical Summer occurred as the sun reached its most northerly or southerly path in the sky. Winter solstice this year will be December 21st. It is the day when the Earth’s axis is tilted the most away from the Sun. After the winter solstice, the Earth’s axis begins to tilt back towards the Sun, and the days start to get longer.
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After a busy and exhausting day, there is nothing like a good night’s sleep. We wake up ready to face a new day, particularly enjoyable this time of year when we experience plenty of warm, sunny days. In a spiritual sense, the Bible uses this idea to remind those of us who follow Jesus that we belong to the day. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul writes this: “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” We who follow Christ avoid the things that are done in the darkness – those things that represent sin and disobedience. We are children of light because we belong to Jesus. And because we belong to the day, we’re called to live with clear hearts and steady minds. Jesus even provides all we need to live in the day – faith and love to guard our hearts like a breastplate and the hope of salvation to guard our hearts like a helmet. As you begin your day today, follower of Christ, live like a child of the light, because in Him, you are.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley