Let Light Shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Remember that song from Sunday School days? As we continue our theme of light this Advent season, I had to bring this special verse to ‘light.’ Jesus gave us our marching orders with this verse, and it is our job to ensure we carry out His request to those around us.
Sit back with me for a moment. What does it mean to you to be a child of God? How does it make you feel to know you are loved by God Himself, that you are one of His children? For me, that feeling is one of warmth and joy. Thinking about it brings a smile to my face and a skip to my step! When we reflect on all the goodness Jesus brought to earth, to each one of us and the multitude of blessings we receive on a daily basis, it is difficult not to shine with happiness.
What Jesus is asking of us in this verse is to shine that happiness with those around us. The goodness that He has given to us needs to be shared with those around us. Having Jesus in our hearts is too good to keep to ourselves and certainly cannot be hidden from others. I remember when I was going through struggles in my life, people would say to me, “You are so strong. How can you even smile while going through this?” The strength that I had was not my own, it was the Holy Spirit in me. That smile? It was coming from God.
Friends, our lives are not perfect, and I am certain we all experience difficult days. Yet, when we have Jesus in our lives, the light will always be in us. Let us share that light with others. It can be as simple as a smile to a stranger, a kind word to the grocery clerk, or a hug to a family or friend that was not expected. Want to share light on a grander scale? Find a family that needs help and offers to buy groceries. Babysit for the single mom down the street who could use a break. Bring some cookies to the new neighbor who just moved in. There are many ways for us to shine Jesus’ light to others.
During this Advent season, may we be the light of hope and truth that others are seeking. When they ask us where our light comes from, may we proudly share that our light comes from Jesus – and would they like to attend church services or a Bible study with us. Now that is shining Jesus’ light!
Video that compliments this blog is: Let Light Shine
Dearest Jesus, help us to remember to shine the light that YOU gave to us. May we be the light to others as you are to us. In your shining name we pray, Amen!