You may have heard it, sung it, or hummed it…. but what is the point of that super catchy song from childhood?

This little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…

Ok, now that we’ve got that stuck in your head for the rest of the day…let’s put some real meaning behind it.  What light are you shining? 

Sound like a trick question?  Of all the times you’ve heard that song, has that question lost its meaning?  It started with this phrase…

⁵ But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 5:9)

Jesus told his disciples that while He was here, He was the Light of the World.  He was here to cast light into dark places and reveal what is hidden there.  The Light Jesus was talking about could shine into anything and show that Gods greatness even there, even in the places you think he can’t be, even in the places you hide from Him.  But Jesus knew He wouldn’t walk on Earth forever.  So, He shared this with those who followed Him about what would become of the Light of the World when He left…

 ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden”      (Matthew 5:14)

Those who believe carry the spirit of Jesus inside of them, the Holy Spirit.  The Light of the World is with them always and they are given that gift so they can share it.  To be like a city on a hill, glowing all the good they know of God out for the world to see.

Sometimes we forget to let the Light that’s inside of us, SHINE out for all the world to see.  We get distracted by more tangible things like homework and soccer practice and grocery lists.  We stop thinking about it all together and start doing our own thing.  Other times we’re embarrassed about it.  We wish this Light came with an on/off switch.  Like when that hot guy finally asked you out for a Wednesday night but you’re supposed to be at church.  Or when everyone’s hanging out at a party and you start feeling like maybe you should, or maybe you shouldn’t,  or what if its just once????  We think if only we could put a dimmer on this thing we could skate by and live a little…right? 

Well, Jesus knew that too.  Just like He knows everything about you.  That’s what makes Him the Light of the world.  He knows everything you try to push into the dark.  And He SHINE’s his love there too. Because He loves you.  And He created you not live in the dark but to live in the Light surrounded by His love! So, He didn’t just stop with telling us we’re the Light of the World”, He went on to give us extra motivation and encouragement…

¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:15-16)

We carry the most precious gift in the whole world around with us each day.  We have the Light of the World inside of us.  And its our job to “Let it SHINE”!   So take that little Light of yours, and let it grow BIG! Let it SHINE out for the whole world to see! Let it radiate out of you so much that when you walk into a room people don’t just see a flicker and think something weird must be going on with you… they see a giant glow that attracts them in and makes them want whatever it is that you’ve got!