When I was in the cradle roll Bible class, one of the first songs we were taught was “This Little Christian Light of Mine,” and although this song it considered to be a kid’s song, the message rings true for any Christian of any age.
The first verse tells us to let our light shine all around our neighborhood. Your neighborhood in this context is the world and the people you interact with everyday. Matthew 5:16 states, “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.” Our job as christians on this earth is to spread God’s message, his love and light. If you don’t show your friends, family, and strangers what God really is all about, they could live in ignorance until it is too late. Let it be known that the day will come when it will be too late and none of us know when that day might be.
The next verse of the song tells us not to hide our light under a bushel. “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 the house,” Matthew 5:14. Whether it be a bushel or a basket, in the world or in your house, you should never hide the light that God wants to shine through you. When you dim or hide your light to “fit in” with the world, you are only hurting yourself and your relationship with God.
The third verse closes with teaching us not to let the devil blow our light out. There is darkness in the world; however, according to Ephesians 5:8, we can walk as children of light from the darkness”. There will be times when the darkness feels like it is too much; however, we must remember and look to John 1:5, “the light shines through the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. We as Christians cannot let the darkness overcome us.
Now you must be wondering, what exactly is this “light” that is often spoken about and preached about? This light is God, it is Jesus. It is the word he has left for us, it is faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love that should be inside every Christian. It is what every Christian should strive to possess and show to everyone they meet.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” John 8:12
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalms 119:105
-Abigail
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