March 9th is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST) for this year. What, exactly, is DST? DST is the practice of advancing clocks during the months when the sun rises earlier and sets later. The basic notion of DST is to make 
the most of daylight for productivity, and to reduce the use of artificial light to save energy resources. In recent times, though, the effectiveness of the practice has been challenged. The discussion still goes on.
Thinking about “daylight saving” reminded me of biblical passages that use similar themes and phrases but with a more spiritually significant perspective. Pictures of “day/night” and “light/darkness” are employed as symbolic of spiritual conditions. Consider the following:
Jesus tells his followers, “We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work” (John 9.4 HCSB). Jesus instructs his disciples to engage in the work of the kingdom with a sense of urgency. The time of extending the offer of salvation will not last forever. When life ends, or when Christ returns at the end of history, humanity will then face the judgment.
The apostle Paul reminds us, “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5.5 NIV). Here the emphasis is on the Christian’s basic identity as one who belongs to Christ. Certain actions are possible and appropriate to the time of day. As those who are characterized by “light” and “day,” followers of Christ are to conduct themselves with uprightness and godliness.
Again, Christ-followers are instructed: “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” (Ephesians 5.8–10 NIV). This call to righteous living is not about building a wall around ourselves in order to avoid being overcome and “contaminated” by the darkness in the world. Rather, it is a call to shine the light of Christ in this dark world so that others too may come to the light. We are to make the most of the time that is given to us in this world, all for the sake of the gospel. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5.15–16 ESV).
Oh that we may learn to save the day for Christ.
—Keith Y. Jainga