Winter, and the shortest, darkest day of the year, began about a month ago with the Winter Solstice. We will not see much longer or lighter days, however, for another several weeks. This time of year is hard for me. I do not mind the cold, but the long, dark days of January and February zap my energy and dampen my spirit. I search for things that energize me and give me purpose to utilize my days wisely.

However, when Paul says in Ephesians that they – and we – are light and that we are to live as children of the light, he isn’t talking about bright, sunny days. He is writing about the light that comes from making Christ the center of our lives and following Jesus’ example of how to live. In other parts of this chapter, as well as in other letters in the New Testament, Paul admonishes the Ephesian followers of Christ to avoid sexual impurity, vulgar talk, and greed. And listening to and following those who are untruthful - in other words, to seek the will of the Lord and carry it out, to be imitators of God. We are to live in love, as Christ loved us.

Living this way in the first century in Ephesus was likely no easier than it is for us in 2026. Ephesus was a beautiful, vibrant city, populated with prosperous and powerful men as well as merchants, laborers, and slaves. Among ancient cities, it was considered an equal with Rome and Alexandria. Along with the wealth and Roman influence came many opportunities for what Paul calls “unclean living.” A new follower would find many temptations to lead him or her astray. And today we are bombarded by a 24-hour news cycle filled with pundits presenting very different opinions and versions of events. They cannot all be telling the truth. And then we are told that the American dream involves a certain car, house, possessions, and even a certain “appearance” we must present. And worst of all, many people have their own versions of what love is and who is worthy of it. We hear and see hate in their words and actions. None of this is Christ-like. It is in stark contrast to the clear message of Christ: love one another as we love ourselves. Care for the sick, the poor, the needy, the immigrant in our land. Our lives should demonstrate the way of love and light.

There are those who say it is not possible to live this way in the 21st century, that modern people have to compete, love those who can help them. Build wealth and power for themselves.

I know it is possible to live as a child of the light, but it involves hard choices and strength found only in the Holy Spirit. Here is a prayer for me and for you in 2026.

Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you for all the good and beautiful things in our lives. We want to live as children of the light, but we are weak. May the Holy Spirit fill us with the courage and strength required to love others as ourselves and to seek and carry out your will in our homes, churches, communities, and the world. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Pat Scruggs.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and...

I remember my school days with fondness. It was a small country school, and almost everyone knew one another. It was easy to make friends, and some of them remain so to this day. The challenge was to stay interested in learning, but most students had favorite subjects. I liked Plain Geometry, Chemistry, Art and Shop, but my all-time favorite was the Physical Science class. Our teacher talked mostly about the planets, stars, and related information.

I was all ears. I have never lost interest in all things space.

It is one subject that keeps scientists questioning everything they have learned as more sophisticated probes are launched into space. The Voyager 2 is more than 15 billion miles from Earth. It was launched in 1977 and is still sending information from interstellar space.

The James Webb Telescope was launched on Christmas Day 2021 and relays astonishing pictures of the Cosmos to media around the world. It is fascinating to learn about gravitational forces, black holes, solar wind, light-years, spacetime, extreme temperatures, and conditions on the surfaces of other planets.

Lately, scientists are questioning the Big Bang theory and asking, “Where is the edge of space and what lies beyond?“ The most interesting takeaway from this vast amount of information is how it relates to our small, beautiful, blue planet sitting in its perfect place in such a vast universe. The concept expands thinking and appeals to the spiritual. It is humbling and miraculous. It is our home.

Speaking as an artist, I find images of the universe are inspirational. I enjoy trying to create paintings that reflect color, shapes, and imaginary places in space. The psalmist describes it best: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).

Heavenly Father, thank you for the miracle of your creation.

Thank you for our world, and may we have the wisdom to revere and protect it. Thank you for the distant universe and all its mysteries.

Thank you for your word and your love.

Amen.

This devotional was written by Steve Hankal and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Have you ever gotten up in the morning and wondered, "What's going to happen today?" Of course you have. We all have. We think about the meetings on our calendar, the errands we need to run, and the people we're going to see. We wonder if the day will bring good news or bad, whether things will go smoothly or fall apart.

But here's another question. Have you ever gotten up in the morning and asked yourself, "I wonder what good works God has in store for me to do today?" I confess that I think that thought much less often. It's not usually at the top of my mind when I'm pouring my first cup of coffee.

Yet that is exactly what this verse is telling us. God has prepared good works for us to do. They're already out there, waiting for us. Our job is simply to walk in them, to show up and be available for whatever opportunities God puts in our path.

The word "workmanship" is a beautiful one. It suggests that God is constantly shaping us, refining us, and making us into something useful and good. We are not finished products sitting on a shelf. We are works in progress, and the work that God is doing on us is connected to the work he wants to do through us. He gives us opportunities every day to be the hands and feet of Christ, to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in our own lives as well.

This is what new life in Christ looks like. It begins today, this very minute. What good works might you do? What kind words might you speak? Where can you help, show love, and extend kindness to someone who needs it? These are not grand assignments reserved for spiritual giants. They are the ordinary, everyday moments where God works on us and through us at the same time.

Our Father, bless me today and make me a blessing to someone else. Open my eyes to see the good works you have prepared for me, and give me the courage and the love to walk in them. Amen.

This devotional was written and recorded by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.