Malachi’s Robot

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-10

Malachi and Nevaeh watched their toy robots march around the room. Malachi's was made of clear plastic, and they could see working parts and flashing lights inside the robot's body. "My robot looks better than yours," said Nevaeh. "It's nice and shiny, and you can't see all the ugly parts inside."

"Well, robots aren't meant to look good," said Malachi. "They're meant to do cool stuff! Mine can probably go faster than yours. Let's race them upstairs."

The kids were just about to begin the robot race when there was a loud clap of thunder and the lights went out. "What happened?" asked Nevaeh.

"It must be the storm," said Malachi. "Let's go downstairs." They headed toward the stairs, but it was dark, and they had to feel their way along the wall. "Wait a minute!" said Malachi, and he flipped on his robot. The lights began to flash, and soon the kids were downstairs in the living room, guided by the light from the robot.

Soon car lights appeared in the driveway, and then Mom and Dad followed the beams of their cell phones into the living room. "You're home!" exclaimed Nevaeh. "It was spooky in the dark!"

"My robot helped though," said Malachi. He proudly demonstrated how his robot had saved the day. "Nevaeh was bragging about her shiny robot, but it was my see-through one that gave us light."

"Well, mine still looks better," insisted Nevaeh.

Dad laughed. "Your robots remind me of Christians," he said as Mom went to find some candles. "Can you guess why?"

"Hmm. I know!" said Malachi. "Christians are supposed to be lights in the world, and my robot is like that." He frowned. "Nevaeh's isn't, though."

"No, but hers illustrates a different way Christians can be," Dad said. "Sometimes we hide the light of Jesus because we're more concerned with how we appear to others. Jesus is our light, and His light shines through us as we show His love to the world with the help of the Holy Spirit."

Neveah tilted her head. "So, just like we saw the light through Malachi's robot, the world should see Jesus through us." She then looked at her brother and said, "But I bet mine is still faster."

"It's on!" exclaimed Malachi as he took his robot and bolted upstairs for a rematch.

–Joyce R. Lee

How About You?
Did you know that if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have His light inside you? As we show others His love through our words and actions, we are shining His light into the world. Don't hide God's light by following selfish desires or worrying what others might think of you. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you be a shining light for Jesus.
Today's Key Verse:
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV) (Matthew 5:16)
Today's Key Thought:
Shine for Jesus