This Little Light of Mine

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Have you ever stopped to think about how powerful the words are in this children’s Sunday school song that we’ve sung for generations? A simple reminder of how our faith should be seen by others. “Hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m gonna let it shine.” Do you let your light shine?

A City on a Hill

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus gives us this very short and simple parable to help us understand. “14 – You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 – Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NIV) “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” You know why? Because of the lights! You can see them from miles away in the darkness! This is how Jesus wants us to be with our faith. Our light (faith) should be so bright in everything we do and everywhere we go that everyone looking on knows we’re followers of Christ! This brings Glory to God and sometimes can even bring others to know Him! Just by letting our light shine.

Living in the Light

This parable always makes me think of camping. My kids love flashlights and fire! The bigger and brighter the better. They’ll run around at night at camp just giggling and lighting up anything they can. They also love them because without a flashlight or fire it’s very dark. It can be scary for them. The light doesn’t just shine for others, it’s brightens the way for us too. In John 3:21 it says “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.” When we’re walking with God, we’re living in the light. We don’t need to fear the darkness and we can have a confidence that only God’s grace can give us!