Radiant Drifters 发光的漂泊者
Dexu Xia
Let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:16
Under the night sky in the spring of 2020, surfers rode bioluminescent waves along the coast of San Diego. These lightshows were caused by microscopic organisms called phytoplankton, a name derived from a Greek word meaning “wanderer” or “drifter.” During the day, the living organisms create red tides and capture sunlight that converts into chemical energy. When disturbed in the darkness, they produce an electric blue light.
Believers in Jesus are citizens of heaven who, much like the red-tide algae, live like wanderers or drifters on earth. When difficult circumstances disturb our well-laid plans, the Holy Spirit empowers us to respond like Jesus—the Light of the World—so we can reflect His radiant character in the darkness. According to Paul the apostle, nothing is more valuable than our intimacy with Christ and the righteousness that comes through our faith in Him (Philippians 3:8–9). His life proved that knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection changes us, impacting the way we live and the way we respond when trials disrupt our lives (vv. 10–16).
When we spend time with God’s Son daily, the Holy Spirit equips us with the truth we need—enabling us to face every challenge on this earth in ways that reflect Christ’s character (vv. 17–21). We can be beacons of God’s love and hope, cutting through the darkness until the day He calls us home or comes again.
How has your perspective on life’s challenges changed as you’ve considered what Christ has done for you? What can you do to become radiant with the character of Christ?
Merciful Jesus, when difficult circumstances come, please shine through me and help me point others to You.
我们到了什么地步，就当照着什么地步行。—腓立比书3章16节
在2020年春天的夜空下，沿着圣地亚哥海岸，可以看到冲浪者在发光的浪潮上乘风破浪。这些发光的海浪是一种叫做浮游植物（phytoplankton）的微生物造成的，这浮游植物的名字源于一个希腊文字，其意思是“流浪者”或“漂泊者”。白天，这些微生物会形成赤潮，并且吸收阳光将其转化为化学能量。当它们在黑暗中受到干扰时，便会产生蓝色的电光。
基督徒是天国的公民，我们在世上的生活就像是浮游植物一般，是流浪者或漂泊者。当困境扰乱了我们早已制定好的计划时，圣灵会加给我们力量，做出与世界之光耶稣一样的回应，使我们能在黑暗中反映出祂光辉的品格。对使徒保罗来说，最宝贵的就是我们与基督的亲密关系，以及因信耶稣而得称为义（腓立比书3章8-9节）。保罗的一生验证了认识耶稣和祂复活的大能可以改变我们，并影响我们的生活方式，以及我们在生活中受试炼干扰时的回应（10-16节）。
当我们每天花时间亲近耶稣，圣灵会以我们需要的真理装备我们，使我们在面对世上的挑战时，能反映基督的品格（17-21节）。我们可以成为向人传递上帝的爱与希望的灯塔，穿透黑暗，直到祂召我们回天家，或祂再临的那一天。
基督为你所做的一切，
如何改变你对各种挑战的看法？
你要如何为主发光，活出基督的品格呢？
求祢透过我发出亮光，让我能领人归向祢。