(Further reflections on “Receptiveness”—Sunday 18-Sep-2022)
There are simply two pathways. The 'diurnal' path walks in the light. The 'nocturnal' one lives in the night. The former is the path of the righteous. The latter is the path of the wicked. The ‘diurnal’ listen to God’s word attentively. The minute they heard it, they received it into their heart. They internalize God’s wisdom as they continue to live in the light. The path of the righteous keeps shining brighter and brighter as they have nothing to hide. They live by faith and not by sight. So even their circumstances are not so bright, their life is brightened up by the light of God’s word. The more they walk in God's word, the brighter their pathway (cf. Proverbs 4:18).
The ‘nocturnal’ hear God’s word inattentively and partially receive it as they plan to do only parts that are comfortable to them. They find excuses in almost everything and the night environment makes their excuses livable and eventually enjoyable. The path of the wicked keeps darkening till the point of inability to know what is right and wrong. They will no longer be able to see the light. So they don't know what is godly and ungodly. They stumble in almost every turn and do not know what or why they are in such a mess as their pathway goes darker and darker till it is pitch black. And even if they have 'night vision', they continue to exist as 'nocturnal' creatures. The longer they walk in the dark, the harder for them to turn back to live in the light.
Everyone of us has a moment of standing at the crossroad of two pathways. And our natural tendency is inclined towards the ’nocturnal’ path which is characterized by being inattentive and unreceptive to God’s instructions and disciplines. The ‘diurnal’ path requires attentiveness and receptiveness towards God’s word. It invites us to walk in the light of His word, live in the light of His wisdom, and stay in the ‘Light’—Jesus Christ.
‘Diurnal’ or “Nocturnal’? The choice is always yours.
—
Pastor Lap
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