Waking up this morning, I was surprised to hear a precious little song playing in my head, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” 

As I moved through my day, the song did not subside. So I began singing it out loud and it comforted me. Years ago, I remember learning the song at church. As I grew, so did the song. Later, I learned verses like “Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine.” And, “Don’t let Satan blow it out! I’m gonna let it shine.”  

Last week, I was compelled to write a blog entitled, “I might be racist…” Struggling with my own fears, I was afraid to post it. But by sharing, I chose to let my little light shine. There have been times when I hid my light for fear of what people might think. Often, it feels easier to hide than to do something. But as Christians, we are called to let our lights shine.

Maybe you are struggling to let your light shine right now.

Here are a few things you can do;

1. Read your Bible
2. Pray
3. Do something

Read. Pray. Do

Psalm 100:105 NIV says God’s word “is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.”

1 John 1:5-7 NIV says;

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 2:7-11 NIV says;

 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

When you read scripture, pray and then do something, your light becomes just a little bit brighter.

My blogger friend, Rich Lewis, encourages us all to find a centering prayer practice. In his blog this week, he says,

“during Centering Prayer we open to the PRESENCE and ACTIONS of God within.  

We let go of our agenda and sit with God. 

Over time as you continue to practice, Centering Prayer seems to integrate with your life. 

How?

Others notice you are a calm presence. 

Others see a new light in your eye.”

Prayer intensifies our light. God is light and when we sit with God, we become light.

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. “

As I wrote today’s blog, I googled the song “This Little Light of Mine”. I was surprised to find that although no one really knows who the author is, it became one of the freedom songs. This was the spiritual anthem of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s. I am certain as they joined their voices, their lights together became that much brighter.

We are all united by this Great Light. My hope is that my little light would join with yours, and together our lights would shine so bright that all the darkness of this world would cease to exist. I believe we are better together. We are the light of the world. Wherever you are today, let your light shine.

Let us pray; Oh Great Giver of Light, take this little light of mine and make it brighter. Join my light with the lights of all those around me so together we may be the light of world. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M