My life has been a blur lately. I ran out of energy really early one night and decided to lie down. It was just me and God, so the house was really quiet.
I really needed to spend time at His feet. It was one of those rare occasions when I didn’t have a lot of words to say other than, “I can’t figure this out. I need your help.”
I sat aside my to do list. I just needed to bask in His love and let Him breathe life into my tired body and mind. I longed for Him to speak to my heart.
I was lying there waiting for a profound message from the One who has all the answers, when out of nowhere, I heard the little song playing through my mind. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine all the time.” The simple song continues with the phrases, “Hide it under a bushel. No! I’m gonna let it shine…. Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine…. Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes… I’m gonna let it shine…. Let it shine all the time.”
To be reminded of this song from my childhood seemed a bit strange, but as the week wore on, I realized this simple childhood song was a pretty profound message. It didn’t simplify my long to do list, but it did help me remember there is something more important than marking off the tasks or even making sure I finish the entire list.
The way I respond under the pressures and difficulties I face is what really matters. Do I let the light of Jesus shine through me “all the time?”
I’m sad to say that my light does some flickering at times. I become tired or get too focused on getting through that to do list and I lose sight of what really matters. I get defensive, I snap, I complain, I become self-centered. There are even times that I have thought of throwing in the towel when the task before me seems impossible. I don’t always have the same attitude, response or love that Jesus has. I forget my purpose in Jesus.
God created me for His glory. My purpose is to shine so that the world can see how awesome God is. He is a God of power, transformation, hope and peace. His light expels the darkness of the world and is meant to shine as a beacon that guides us to our eternal home.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells his followers that they are salt and light. Like salt being used to flavor and preserve, we are to help the world around us taste and see that the Lord is good. We are to preserve the things Jesus taught us and proclaim the message of the Gospel.
As the Gospel transforms us to be more like Jesus, His light burns brighter in us. The power of the Gospel is able to set us free from anger, addiction, hopelessness, despair and self-centeredness. With Jesus we have victory over the worst sin we can imagine. We cannot save ourselves, but what is impossible with men is possible with God!
As we submit our lives to the Lord, the Holy Spirit enables us to love with the unconditional love of Jesus. He equips us to share God’s message of love, salvation and hope not just through words but also through our actions.
As we let God have His way in our lives and are obedient to him in even the tiny day-to day things, others will notice. They will see God work in us and through us in amazing ways and will see things happen that only God could do.
We shine our lights not to bring attention to ourselves but to bring attention to Jesus, the Light of the world. The more we surrender to Him, the brighter our lights shine so that the world can see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven.
So, whatever is on your to do list and no matter what you encounter, let your light shine. Don’t hide it under a bushel. Don’t let Satan blow it out. Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes! Be the salt and light that Jesus calls you to be and let your light shine and bring glory to God.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~Jesus, Matthew 5:13-16
I turned the knob, but it didn’t light. I jiggled the cord. Sparks flew, and the light flickered. After a few more jiggles and a few more sparks, the lamp finally lit up. The cord would need repaired.
I can still hear her voice that greeted us every time we visited, “Come in, come in, come in!” Whatever she had been doing, she would stop so that we could enjoy our time together. She always wanted us to stay longer than we were able and always insisted on a “quick peek” through her closet before we could leave. She was sure she could find something special in there that we needed to take home.