Maybe you remember singing about that little light that you were going to shine when you were just a kid. Or maybe you’ve heard little children sing that song with gusto and it always warms your heart. It turns out we’ve been singing a version of that song for nearly one hundred and fifty years. At first, according to the lyrics we were going to shine that light for our brothers and sisters. Then we were going to shine it some more for our neighbors. After that, we were going to shine that light all over the world. Finally, we declared that we wouldn’t let Satan blow our light out, because we were going to let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
So here’s my question. How’s your little light doing? Are you aware of shining your little light for your brothers and sisters, or for your neighbors, or people around the world? Are you aware of letting your light shine with your family, or at the grocery store, or anywhere you happen to go? Little children are great because they smile and hold up their light and sing with all their hearts that they will not stop shining. It’s interesting that Billy Graham and George Beverly Shae, and Cliff Barrows sang the song during crusades, and Bruce Springsteen gave us an exciting version of the song as well. So, what is that light and how can we be better at letting the light shine?
The lyrics highlight a scripture where Jesus calls His followers, “the light of the world.” Another scripture says I’m shining this light because Jesus gave it to me. At some point in your life, Jesus gave you permission to “Be the light.” He wants you to shine. He wants you to be a beacon on a hill so the world will see more clearly. Jesus promised that He has overcome the darkness, and that means He has overcome those things that steal our peace on any given day. His Light is greater than this world’s troubles and all we have to do is shine the little light He put within us. All we have to do is lend a hand, speak kindness, offer grace, and pray for those around us. When we do that, the light becomes stronger.
When you get a chance, check out the Bruce Springsteen version on YouTube. His light is shining!