“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 NLT

“The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.” Proverbs 21:3 NLT

If we could truly integrate God into every aspect of our daily lives, imagine how we would be transformed. The world around us would be transformed.

It’s easy to live a godly life during a mission trip or on Sunday mornings. But it’s like the difference between following fad diets and making a healthy lifestyle change. You might achieve your goal for a little while, but before you know it the situation is slipping out of hand again. Making small, realistic adjustments is easier to maintain for the long haul and more likely to achieve lasting results.

When we invite God to participate in every detail of our lives, it brings a peace and joy that can’t be found doing it on our own. And over time we are being shaped into the likeness of Jesus. Something as small as taking the time to pray for patience and the ability to teach in a way my daughter can understand before we begin her math lesson can make all the difference in the world.

Instead of us both ending up with headaches, we can work through the lesson like a team, building both her confidence in herself and our relationship. It’s just a math lesson. But when I invite God into it, I not only honor him, but that daily challenge goes so much more smoothly!

Nothing we do is insignificant to God. He wants to be honored in every moment of our lives, from the professional to the mundane.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5 NLT

I hate the way Daylight Savings Time throws off my schedule, but I’ll never complain about gaining an extra hour of daylight. Sunshine makes such a difference in how I feel, physically and emotionally. If I could move to a location that enjoyed thirteen hours of sunlight a day, year round, I would.

I’ve read about “The Land of the Midnight Sun,” where the sun is continuously visible for twenty-four hours a day, for varying months depending on the proximity to the equator. It sounds wonderful! But the unfortunate flip side is the months spent in total darkness. During those months, suicide rates climb as depression prevails. The constant gloom is difficult to endure.

When I think about the way we are dependent on sunlight for Vitamin D and how vitally important it is to our physical and emotional health, I am reminded how we are dependent on Jesus for our spiritual well-being. Without Jesus, we would live the darkness of sin and human depravity, separated from God, without hope.

But the Light of the World offers us forgiveness and the promise of a better life. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ, we don’t have to live as captives to sin. We have new freedom. We don’t have to live in the darkness of despair and sin because we have access to a Light that no darkness can extinguish.

When the gloom of life’s struggles threatens to overwhelm us, we need to turn our faces to the Light.

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3 NIV

There are days when my faith is solid, rock-steady, and powerful enough to move mountains. I can remember with ease the times God has provided and blessed. Other days, my brain says that God will provide but I can’t bring my wayward emotions into line.

I wake up in the morning and lay my requests before him. But the uneasiness isn’t replaced with peace. I feel discontentment and longing. Just recently God answered my prayers in a mighty way and I was awed by his goodness. Why do I now feel the shadow of doubt creeping into my thoughts?

In John 15:7 Jesus says, “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” When we are aligned with Jesus, we won’t ask for anything outside of God’s will. He’s not a genie in a lamp waiting to grant three wishes. He wants us to know his character and grow in our faith.

So I am sifting my words as I pray, aligning my requests with his will. And I have confidence that he will provide in his own way and time… just make me wait longer than I’d like, and in a way that is outside of my small comfort zone.

Perhaps those very needs that weigh on my mind are blessings in disguise. They keep me coming back every morning to lay my requests before God. Every need is an opportunity for him to grow my faith.

"But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: ‘Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.’

“But Naaman became angry and stalked away. ‘I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!’ he said. ‘I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!’" II Kings 5:10-11 (NLT)

To quote from The Tale of Despereaux: “No one is born afraid.” Life’s lessons often leave scars. Sometimes they run deep, so deep that we don’t realize they are the root of anger, bitterness, or anxiety in our lives.

Once we realize we have healing that requires God’s work, I’m afraid most of us are a lot like Naaman. We want the healing to be an instantaneous and miraculous event, the way that Jesus healed the blind and lame in the Bible. It would be so much easier on our pride and spare us so much work.

Now, there may be times when healing comes swift and sure, but most of the time God expects us to participate with him in the process. He wants us to learn about him as we learn about ourselves through the journey toward healing.

If we truly desire to be restored, we need to do more than ask for it. We must be willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve it. Even at the risk of our pride. That means admitting our weaknesses and flaws; seeking counseling, if necessary; reading books that will guide our progress; spending intentional time in prayer and listening for God’s voice; and working with God through the process.

How tragic it would be if Naaman had continued to be separated from his family by leprosy when all he needed to do was walk down to the river and wash.