So many people today are consumed by negativity. Negativity, and sometimes even despair, become their focus. They lose sight of the goodness of God. Many times this happens because of what choices they make in their lives. They can be small, everyday choices that send them into a whirlwind of negativity instead of illuminating their soul. But each one of us can make better choices. Afterall, God gave us freewill. It is up to us to use it and choose to seek out goodness. We can make choices for positivity that illuminate our soul. We can choose light.
We Become What We Consume
Just like the saying, ‘What goes up, must come down;” what goes in must come out. Stop and take a look around you. Consider how you are feeding yourself; mind, body and spirit. What kind of TV do you watch? What kind of music fills your ears and your mind? We have little computers that we carry around with us. We have access to all kinds of media. Do you have anything positive and uplifting that you utilize? When you have conversations with people, what is the theme of the focus? Then there is your own mind. This is a big one. Examine your thoughts. Are they of a negative nature?
Know what you are consuming and know what you are giving out. Matthew 6:22–23 reminds us that “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.” (usccb.org) So, choose light!
Darkness Is Subtle
The quiet influence of darkness is everywhere. We see cynicism on a daily basis. The general distrust of other peoples’ motives runs rampant in today’s society. We often assume people are driven solely by self-interest. I know I have to fight this one. Comparison lives strong and is encouraged by all types of media. Instead of appreciating someone else for their gifts and talents, their personal appearance or the material things they have earned, we often offer judgement and suspicion so we don’t feel inferior.
Then there is the constant negativity. We often focus on the bad things that have happened or when things don’t quite go as we have hoped or planned. The “woe is me” attitude is quite popular as well as claiming to be a victim. Let’s not forget the spiritual distraction. These are technology, entertainment, busyness or mental clutter like anxiety and the fear of missing out. Multitasking is another way to fall into darkness. It makes it increasingly harder to focus on just one thing, making prayer and meditation difficult. It is all too easy to just fall into a spiritual winter. Don’t allow yourself to be left in the darkness. Choose light.
Choosing Light Intentionally
Choose light intentionally. Yes, it is a choice and you do have control. Here are some practical alignment tools to help you choose light:
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- Audit your inputs: Consider where your time is being spent on feeding your mind and soul. This includes social media, news and conversations. Is your focus on mindless activity or negativity? How can you add more positivity and spiritual growth?
- Replace complaint with gratitude: Every time you find yourself about to complain, name something you are grateful for. Give yourself extra points if you can turn the complaint into a gratitude moment.
- Worship before scrolling: Say a prayer asking for guidance on what you are filling yourself with or listen to a praise and worship song before you decide to scroll and sing along.
- Scripture before screen: Utilize an app that gives you scripture or pull out your Bible to read and meditate on God’s word before you turn to a screen of any kind.
Remember that alignment requires illumination. You need to be able to clearly see and discern what is before you. John 8:12 tells us “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (usccb.org) You need to choose to live in the light, intentionally.
The Fruit of Choosing to Live in Light
Living in the light brings many fruits including those of the Holy Spirit. Some of these fruits are clarity, peace, confidence and purpose. Who wouldn’t want more of these?
The question is not whether we desire these fruits, but whether we are willing to choose what produces them. Light must be chosen intentionally, again and again, in the small, everyday moments. In what we watch, in what we listen to, in what we dwell on and in what we believe. The fruit of our lives will always reveal the light we have chosen.
Over time, those choices begin to take root. And what once felt difficult becomes natural. What once felt distant becomes evident. The fruit begins to show, not because we forced it, but because we nurtured the right source. The fruit we bear is always connected to the light we choose.
Live in Light
You do not drift into light. You choose it. Ephesians 5:8 states, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,” (usccb.org) This is not just a suggestion. It is a calling, a daily invitation to step out of what is easy, familiar or unnoticed, and into what is true, good and life-giving. Living in the light is not about perfection. It is about intention. It is choosing:
- truth over distraction
- peace over chaos
- purpose over passivity
Choose what you allow into your mind, your heart and your spirit. Know that these choices are shaping who you are becoming.
Because you are no longer walking in darkness.
You are not searching for light.
You are called to live in it.
You choose light!
And when you do, you won’t just see differently, you will begin to live differently. You will live with greater clarity, with deeper peace, with renewed confidence and with purpose that is no longer questioned, but embraced.
So today, choose the light. Not just once and not just when it’s easy. Choose it intentionally, consistently and faithfully. Because the life you desire, the peace you long for and the purpose you were created for are all found in the light you choose to live in.
Let’s choose light by praying together:
Lord,
Thank You for calling us out of darkness and into Your light.
Help us to choose what is good, true and pleasing to You each day.
Give us the awareness to recognize what draws us away from You and the strength to turn back to you.
May our lives reflect Your light in all we do.
Amen.
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