Sunday Morning Reflection – April 6, 2025: Striving to Live Fully for Christ
Matthew 5 | Ezekiel 33 | Ephesians 5
In today’s reflection, we are challenged to take a deep look at how we approach our relationship with God, our actions in the world, and how we align our lives with His will. From the importance of staying connected to God despite the world’s pressures, to the call to actively live out our faith, today’s message is a reminder that being a Christian is about intentionality, not passivity.
Don’t Let the World Steal Your Joy
The world is full of distractions, temptations, and challenges, but none of these should take away your joy or cause a break in your connection with God. Matthew 5 challenges us to examine the kind of friends we choose and how those relationships may be influencing our joy. Are you surrounding yourself with people who help you grow spiritually, or do some of your relationships hinder your walk with God? In a world that often promotes negativity and disconnection, we must guard our joy, remembering all that God has done for us and choosing to praise Him despite the circumstances.
Sometimes, we are even blessed by the people who don’t like us. While it may seem counterintuitive, God allows certain people to avoid us because they can distract us from our purpose. Some people might talk to you not because they are seeking God but because they see you as a target when you’re not right with Him. Thank God for the people who DON’T like you—they serve a purpose in redirecting your focus back to Christ.
Change Your Plans After Coming to Church
When we come to church, we should expect to hear something that challenges us and provides clear direction. If you don’t hear something that provides you with instructions, were you even paying attention? Church is not a place to passively listen but a space where we should actively engage with God’s word and be ready to make changes in our lives based on what we hear. What does God want you to do, and how does He want you to go about it? This is a question we should all be able to answer after encountering God’s word. His instructions are meant to guide us toward living in His will, and we are called to be responsive and obedient.
You Are the Light of the World
In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. Are you letting your light shine, or are you trying to stay spiritually invisible? Some of us may have a problem with wanting to be spiritually invisible—avoiding taking a stand for Christ, not striving to have a Godly impact on the people around us. But as followers of Christ, we are called to stand out. Our actions matter. Our words matter. Our choices matter. Everything we do should reflect the light of Christ to a dark world.
Do Not Be Spiritually Invisible
Ephesians 5 teaches us that the conversations we have with others in Christ should not just be a passing moment—they should be meaningful, impactful, and continual. If we are truly living for Christ, we cannot afford to be spiritually invisible. Our light should be so bright that others can see the difference in us, and we should be intentional about sharing God’s love and truth.
What Do You Need to Do to Be Optimal in God?
The question we must ask ourselves is: What do you need to do to be optimal in God? If you are not fighting for Christ, you might be unknowingly fighting against Him. Our lives are meant to be surrendered to God’s will, and every day is an opportunity to align ourselves more fully with His purpose for our lives. We must actively pursue righteousness, serve with joy, and live with the goal of honoring God in everything we do.
The Christian life is about intentionality, not passivity. We are called to live with purpose, to be the light of the world, and to make a real impact in the lives of others. We are not meant to hide our faith or let fear keep us from living fully for Christ. It’s time to evaluate our relationships, our actions, and our faith. Are we actively living in a way that brings glory to God? Are we letting His light shine through us in all areas of life?
Today is a day to choose joy, to praise God for what He’s done, and to commit to living with intentionality and purpose. Let’s strive to be optimal in our walk with God, always growing, always shining His light, and always fighting for His will.