WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EXPOSURE- 12/2/15 - Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

EXPOSURE has several meanings including: the state of being in contact with something; the revelation of an identity or fact, especially one that is concealed.  In photography, exposure is the amount of light per unit area reaching a photographic film. To be underexposed means the film has had light for too short a time, and vice versa.  Whether in photography or in life; it is important for us to deal properly with exposure. How much light is in my life...and what is it revealing?

Jesus said that "everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."  (John 3:20-21) Paul warned the church at Ephesus..."there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." He goes on to say that these habitual behaviors revoke inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Then he admonishes them,  "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible-and everything that is illuminated becomes a light." (Ephesians 5:3-13) Exposure is a serious thing!

Exposure has another, more positive light. When we are underexposed in life, we have not had enough experience in a certain arena.  Our information or access is limited and we need someone more knowledgeable to guide us. Some struggle if they're not the smartest person in the room, but if you are always that person...you need more exposure to grow!  People who have lived in poverty need exposure to another standard of living to change their status.  Those who have only experienced the US need  exposure to other countries to have a well-informed perspective of the world.  Spiritually, Elisha prayed during the battle that his servant's eyes would be opened to see that the army of the Lord with them was more than the enemies coming against them. (2 Kings 6:17) The servant had not been exposed to the concept of spiritual warring in the heavenlies. If you're stuck at a certain place in life...you might check to make sure you have the correct exposure!