Let Your Light Shine!

By: Melanie Moore

Several years ago, my sister and I found an old cassette tape. When we popped it into a tape player, we were shocked to hear our childhood voices singing songs we had learned at church. We laughed as we heard "This Little Light of Mine" belted out at top volume by these enthusiastic little girls on the tape. 

The tape also made me think about the song and the enthusiasm I had as a child about letting "this little light of mine" shine. Sometimes, as adults, we get wrapped up in the busyness of life or in comparing our lives to others that we forget the beautiful basics we learned as a child.

"This Little Light of Mine" is based on the words of Jesus we found written in Matthew 5:16:

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.

Let your light shine before others...

Jesus didn't suggest or recommend that we let our lights shine. His words are a command to each of us to let our lights shine before others. How do we do that? We let our lights shine by living in the same way that Jesus would. How would Jesus respond to someone who wronged him? We let our light sine by responding in the same way. How would Jesus treat someone in need? We let our light shine by giving generously as Jesus would. 

... so that they may see your good works...

We have to remember that we each live in constant interaction with others. If we profess Jesus with our mouths, but our words and actions (our "lights") say otherwise, we actually harm the name of Jesus. May we each remember to reflect Jesus in all we do so that when others see our lives, they want to know the secret to our peace and joy.

... and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I believe this is where we need to be most careful. In this day of social media "likes" and "followers", we can get wrapped up in making ourselves the center of attention. This verse reminds us of the purpose of letting our lights shine. We want to point others to our heavenly Father and the hope they can have through Jesus Christ. 

Today, friends, I challenge you to enthusiastically sing "This Little Light of Mine" and remember to live your life in the same way!