Epiphany People

The day of light is now done.
The season of light stretches before us though.
Waiting to be filled with light by Epiphany people.
A season that anticipates the acts and words and choices that will usher in evidence of Jesus.

Epiphany people bring light
because Jesus is their life.

And here are some defining characteristics of people of light. 
Epiphany people are people who:

fight injustice, 

care for the defenseless, 

give voice to the voiceless,

are unselfish, 

are humble - they do not boast or brag, 

are peaceful - they do not stir up trouble, 

think the best of others - they do not constantly question motives, 

do not return evil with evil, 

are patient, 

are kind, 

are not jealous - they are content with what they have and what they’ve been given, 

are not ledger people - they don’t keep a record of wrongs, 

protect, 

are trustworthy, 

are hopeful, 

are perseverant, 

are gentle, 

are faithful, 

are self-controlled - they are not irritable or volatile, 

speak truth lovingly, 

do not gossip but instead speak what will build up others,

are lavish in their love, 

are exceeding in their joy, 

are generous in their forgiveness,

are abundant in their mercy,

are extravagant in their grace.

(The majority of this list is drawn from 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-13.)

We do not do these things or become these things on our own. The Light that came into the world calls us into marvelous light and equips us to live there through the Holy Spirit.

If you love Jesus and want to follow Him, take courage and bring light into the darkness everywhere you go. We are children of the day. We are Epiphany people!

My four-year old helped me with this post:

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Face in the Sunlight - Part 3

Yesterday, I said the choice to put your face in the sunlight is a courageous one. Choosing light always involves risk.

The risk, I suppose, in coming into the light is exposure.
Light makes flaws more apparent.
Light leaves little room for debate of what might or might not be.
Hiding is not an option.

We sometimes sit in the shadows and question the wisdom of full disclosure.
After all, people can be harsh and cold.
People can be unforgiving and cruel.
Exposure can mean making the bullseye more visible for others' arrows of judgement.

Jesus spoke of the fear man has for the light. Fear of being exposed because we have lived for ourselves and have chosen badly. Jesus said we run for the darkness when we choose self and we keep running, frightened at the potential painful unveiling if we get caught by the light.

And truth be known, when we've dwelled in darkness, light can be painful, at least initially. 

Yet, if we remain in the shadows, we are never seen.

Light makes us known. Don't you want to be known?

Light means trading masks for permission to be fully ourselves, 

or at least learn to be.

Light brings us face to face with the One who knows us best 

and loves us most.

Light brings freedom.

In putting our face in the light, we dare to be Epiphany people. To be found. To be seen. To be known. Fully. Completely. 

To live in light is to be loved. To be accepted. Embraced. 
Being Epiphany people means living in light's fullness that we might bring others to the Light as well.

Here hopine we will choose to be Epiphany people who love Light and run fast toward it with every breath we take.

Face in the Sunlight - Part 2

Wake up. 
Put your face in the sunlight. 

God’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, 
all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you, His sunrise glory breaks over you. 

- Isaiah 60:1b-2 (The Message)

Neither light from the bright orb of gases, 

nor the dark which is caused by the earth's rotation. 

Not of literal light and dark do I speak.

For cloudy days cross the skies and the planets keep revolving, but my heart? My heart has a choice.

Epiphany light is the light of the soul.

The light able to shine though the world is still dark with violence, hate, apathy, oppression.

So when I read Eugene Petersen's rendering of Isaiah 60:1b...

"Put your face in the sunlight"

I am shocked from complacency once more.

The reminder of choice.

Epiphany light shines out or is snuffed out each day because I have a say.

This day...this moment...a choice.

The fact is that Light has come. (John 3:19)

This Light is risen upon us, upon all men, upon me. 

(Isaiah 60:1 and John 1:9)

This Light has been misunderstood by the very darkness He came to dispel. (John 1:5)

But this day...this moment...I have a choice.

I can choose to put my face in the sunlight.

I can choose to embrace Light.

I can choose to celebrate Epiphany.

I can choose to live and breathe and have my being in the light of the Son.

Christmas ushers in the Light and calls us to be Epiphany people. People who put their faces in the sunlight, exposed and vulnerable and seen. People, who by that very courageous act, have begun to dispel darkness.

Face in the Sunlight

Yesterday was Epiphany.

The day of Light now gone,

marking, for me, 

the truest end to Christmas season.

How in this world of dark places and cold spaces, 

do we dare to find light anew?

Here are some ways Light overcomes the darkness for me...

      the made-up jokes of my 5-year old
      ancient words, ever true
      sufficient strength promised for right now
      a kind word that reminds me I matter
      choosing love 
      saying "I'm sorry"
      siblings getting along
      filling pages with graces
      prayers of my 8-year old 
      laughing to tears with my husband
      full moon bright over roof tops
      assuming the best in others
      my 3-year old's smile
      knowing His plans for me are good

Wake up. 
Put your face in the sunlight. 

God’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, 
all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you, His sunrise glory breaks over you. 

- Isaiah 60:1b-2 (The Message)