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This Little Light of Mine
Happy Friday! Everyone is excited, whether we are at work or school; it’s an electric atmosphere. Everyone is talking about the weekend and the plans they have made. Some are going to a bar for happy hour after work, some to a lake, a party, or to a new hit movie. Do we feel left out? Do we feel like we are missing out? Are we tempted to go and be a part of the crowd? Do we love this world?
Jesus says…Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
There are not many people interested in Christ these days. For most people, going to church or reading the bible is not the popular thing to do. It seems like no one cares about God anymore. This is just reality. Is there anything we can do to about it?
Recently, I heard a woman in bible class say something that was amazing to me. She said that a single candle light can be seen in total darkness from miles away. So I researched it and found this: in pitch black a lit candle can be seen 30 miles away! Hard to believe, but it is possible.
So my point is this: are we that candle light in the darkness …or are we hiding our light in order to fit in and be liked? Are we ashamed or afraid?
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. Matthew 5:14-16
No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
Luke 8:16
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, Isaiah 42:6
So we see in the Old and the New Testaments that we are instructed to be the light of the world and NOT to hide it. We should all feel delighted to be the chosen people who Peter talks about in 1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
That we proclaim the excellence of God!
Also in Deuteronomy 10:15: Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.
We are chosen! What a privilege!
People are watching us… at work, at the store, on the golf course, and other places as well. You are being observed, because people want to see what you will do, how you will act and react. They want to know your character. They may even be looking for that candle light in the darkness, so they can draw near to God and look to Him for answers. We don’t have all the answers, but Christ does, and we can light the way to him.
Or are you ashamed or afraid? It’s a valid question. Peter was ashamed of Jesus and denied him three times. I hope we are not, but we all have to admit that it is a possibility, and maybe it is why we hide our light. I think that God is concerned with this issue, as He addresses it many times. Here are a few:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.2 Tim 2:15
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38
One day, maybe not too far in the future, we will be persecuted for being Christians. That is scary! However, we should be fearless, because in the end… we win! We should be compelled to be a light for the Lord! Easier said than done, right? But nothing worth anything comes easy, and each of us has our own cross to carry for the Lord. He is counting on us to spread the word of His salvation to a dying world. We may not be able to change the world all at once, but little by little, we can do our part and maybe… just maybe help save some lost souls on the way.
Terry Ryan
