Arise and shine, I don’t know how many times I heard those words from my parents as a child as they got me up for school or whatever the day had in store. Arise and shine. It was a phrase I really did not think about. It was just something my folks said. Of course it is biblical, arise and shine for your light has come, it is from Isaiah 60 and describes the coming of Jesus, the light of the world. For me as a child however it simply was a call to get up and do well at school, work hard, shine out among my classmates. However it is much more than that, it is about letting the light of Christ shine through your words and actions. It is about bringing shalom in a world that sorely lacks the peace that only Christ can bring.
The days are lengthening, the light of the sun is remaining with us longer through the day, as it does so, let us make a concerted effort also to shine brighter and longer in the world. Rise and shine sleepyhead. for the kingdom of God is nearer now than when we first believed.