Where I live, the summer sun doesn't set until late in the evening. When our children were young, they would sometimes say at bedtime, "We can't go to bed yet. It's not dark out." They associated darkness with sleep. The apostle Paul does that too.

Paul contrasts day and night in two ways. First, people who reject Jesus or don't know him live in darkness. They are unaware of Jesus' promised second coming. And when he does return, Jesus will catch them off guard, "like a thief in the night." Second, and sadly, people who are without Jesus are "asleep," living in frustration and without hope. Christians, though, are awake in Jesus and should always walk by the light of the "Son."

How does Paul suggest we live in the light? He advises us to prepare for daily struggles and be alert. Our daily battles with temptation and sin require faith in Jesus, and for our faith to grow we should spend time reading and reflecting on God's Word, letting it permeate the deepest reaches of our hearts. We should also be faithful in prayer, "praying always" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

As our lives orbit around Jesus, his love in us will shine out to the people around us, especially to those without Jesus. Growing in faith and love will develop our hope as we serve Jesus and eagerly await his return.