You know the song. We sang it in Sunday school, “This Little Light of Mine,” The chorus
includes these words, “I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine let it shine.” Picture
a very dark cave. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. You struggle,
groping in the dark, trying to find a way out. And then you spot it; a candle
ahead, brightly lit, on the floor of the cave.
This tiny, intimate
light changes everything. This seemingly insignificant light will guide you out
of a dark place. It lights the space around you, bringing awareness to the
truth of your surroundings, a beacon, a feeling of warmth, a way out. It brings
hope. A small amount of light will offer the same into the darkness around us.
Our little lights can bring hope and guidance. The light in us is Jesus.
We can’t shine for
others until we are emptied of the darkness within and filled with the light
ourselves. Jesus exposes darkness, all of it, and heals it with His love and
light. Allowing Him into our secret places isn’t always easy. We are
comfortable there. Can we trust Him? Can we trust Him with the hurt stuffed
down deep within, all of the past and present grief? Can we bring it out into
the light and allow the God of love to remove the darkness? He is the great
healer. He will do it!
And nothing can
snuff it out again. Even if the enemy of our souls tries and tempts and entices,
Jesus is more powerful. The light dispels the darkness. The darkness has lost
its power.
The light
of the righteous shines brightly but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed
out. Proverbs 13:9
The light
shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
If
there is darkness engulfing your life right now with dread, worry, hopelessness
or fear, God can
handle it. That darkness has no power over Him. Fill up on His light.
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! (Matthew 5:14-16)
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Your words to us today. We pray for our country.
Help us to come together as one nation under God. With You in our hearts, our
minds, and our spirit, we can bring Your light to a darkened world. Remind us
of that truth. Where You are, there is light. You have come into the world as
light and Your glory will shine within us and through us until we witness Your
full glory.
Amen