One of my favorite childhood songs is “This Little Light of Mine”. As I was
googling the song I was surprised to find so many different genres of music have
recorded this song…multiple gospel choirs, both adult and children. Bruce
Springsteen recorded a rock version, country styles, hip-hop aerobics exercise,
the Fisk Jubilee Singers have a beautiful acapella arrangement that incidentally
is very similar to Ken Berg’s arrangement for an All -Boys Choir I heard a few
years ago at the Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music’s closing concert.
This particular version is a ballad and is reminiscent of a
Lullaby.
When we think of this light, we are told in Genesis as God was creating the
world there was darkness and He spoke the light into existence. Genesis Chapter
One is “The Beginning”.
“The earth was formless and empty darkness was over the surface of the deep, and
the spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be
light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated
the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness he
called “night”. And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day.”
Genesis 1:2-5
In the New Testament, Matthew’s account of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount”
or the “Beatitudes”, he writes “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill
cannot be hidden. 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.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
We are to share God’s light so others may see God and His glory. Not to be seen
by our own devices, but be a reflection of God. A few decades ago the youth wore
popular cloth bracelets that had the initials “WWJD” printed. This stood for
“What Would Jesus Do”, and this was a reminder to think before acting. What
would Jesus do in this situation? This not only encouraged the wearer to pause
and reflect before acting out, but was an opportunity to share one’s faith.
Someone had said many years ago warning Christians to be careful how they
behave, because they may be the only Bible some people have ever read. In other
words, our actions should reflect our values in living a faithful life with God,
because non-believers are watching us, and possible judging us as well. More
than likely they have never read the Bible nor understand what God’s message is
to all, so they are looking at Christians to represent God’s will and His Word.
This by no means places Christians on a pedestal…..ALL fall short of the glory
of God. This is to encourage us to shine God’s light in the world, and encourage
random acts of kindness to all we encounter.
I was listening recently to a podcast on leadership, and the speaker made the
statement “let the light within you shine brighter than the spotlight on you”,
and this was very powerful for all listening. The light within us should be
God’s light. The spotlight on us is singling the speaker out or showcasing the
speaker so all can see and hear what is being said. This bright spotlight can
also be the “limelight’, similar to the spotlight celebrities experience;
however, that spotlight only shows the person, not God.
By having the light of God shining within us brighter than the spotlight on us,
HE gets the glory.
I smile every time an athlete thanks God and gives Him glory in recognition of
the team’s win at the end of the game when being interviewed. That athlete is
not calling attention to himself, but to God and his teammates. This is not
selfish. This is an example of letting the inward light shine brighter than the
spotlight!
David wrote in Psalm 139: 11,12 – “If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me, even in the darkness will not be dark to
you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” How
comforting to know we cannot hide from God, nor is He distant from us. When we
do not feel His presence, it is probably due to the fact we have been neglecting
God. Please read scripture, listen to praise music, and or talk to God in
prayer. If you are unsure what to say, we are told the Holy Spirit is able to
make intercessions for us when we are unable to verbalize our needs and requests
to God. Sometimes listening to a recorded lesson or sermon may provide you with
the direction for your prayers when you need clarity. Perhaps you are blessed
with a faithful friend who can pray for you. Sometimes life gets hard, and we
fight the spiritual darkness in this broken world. We need a place of relief
from the battles, and David writes in Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and
strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” In the 10th verse of this chapter –
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Want you be still and reflect on how God’s light can shine through you so others
may see God’s glory?
Frances K. Schroeder
January 21, 2023