And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has hears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:21-23. I have read the above verse so many times and always before I thought of it as revealing sin. This morning, I couldn’t help but hear these words as referring to the light of God’s truth and Love coming into the light of understanding in us. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord…But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-10, 13-14.

Reading our chapter this morning, 2 Kings 14, my take away? The note below: (During this period of history, many prophets – such as Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah and Isaiah – began collecting their prophecies and writing them under God’s direction. They continued to preach about the worldwide significance of God’s work as they looked forward to the future spiritual kingdom. God would use Israel’s moral and spiritual decline to prepare the way for the Messiah’s coming. Because the kingdom and military power of Israel would be stripped away, many people would be ready to turn to the Good News that Jesus would bring).

Reading about the kings of Israel and Judah in our chapter, I couldn’t help but think of the “kingdoms” of our world today who are seeking to rule over others. Nations who start wars to gain land, nations who threaten any who would thwart their empire designs…how about “kingdoms” of drug cartels or gangs? Darkness. How about the “kingdom” of our own heart?

And yet. Through it all through every age people have responded to God’s love and truth as they understood it. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2. Not to be hidden under a basket or bed!

And in a wonderful example for us of that light? Jesus teaching in the home of Martha and Mary. What did Mary choose? To sit at the feet of her Lord and let His light of Love and truth illuminate her very soul. “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

Wake up! Find out what pleases the Lord by walking with Him and sitting at His feet letting His light shine upon you. His light is His truth and His love for you. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you! Jesus asked us: When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8. Sometimes when I am in prayer with Him, my refrain to Him is often that I wish I had better words to describe how wonderful His truth is. Good. That’s the word He used as He created (Genesis 1)! Good. Can we embrace Good? Can we trust Him to show us what Good is and choose what is better? He’s here. Always. Wake up!