Shine On

If we could go back in time to the small white church on the corner of 5^th and Pine street, then we would hear the little blonde girl yelling with her small finger in the air, “this little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine, this little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine, this little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!” This was a great highlight of my Sunday school class, and a song that has stood the test of time. I have taught many small children, including my own, this little melody that rings truth, life and above all reminds us, that we have a responsibility that should not be taken lightly…..To Shine. 

Ephesians 5:8 says, for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Have you heard the phrase in these last two years, “the darkness is rising all around?” I have heard this many times this season, and I know that I have said it myself a time or two. Recently, that little song I would sing in Sunday school started playing in my head and I heard God remind me, “darkness is just the absence of light.” Darkness only exists when light is not present. There is a great difference between dark and light that God himself made a point to separate the two in Genesis. He saw that the light was good but the darkness was not mentioned.

We have turned our attention to the evil in such a high regard, that we forget that we stand in authority on the winning team. We yell at evil, we mock it, we fear it, and we tend to ignore and hide from it. Romans 12:21 tells us, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. To think what would happen when we all realize the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and we shine like the brightness of the heavens. We have the key to unlock the darkness, and that is Jesus! He is the light of the world that came to take the sins of the world upon His shoulders. For this reason, we are set apart and we are a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). We carry the light wherever we go, and today, I believe we are being called to action as believers in Christ to let our lights shine and overcome evil with good. 

The second and third verse of our theme song, “don’t let Satan blow it out and hide it under a bush, oh no!” are perfect reminders of what can happen to our light. How many times have we delt with the “blowing out” part of our journey? No matter how hard we try, it seems like there is a soft, sometimes ragging and sometimes out of nowhere wind that wants to blow our little lights out. Or, when it just feels easier to put on a mask, get our groceries and find ourselves back in the comfort of home because it’s just too much. God continues to remind me, that we are not going to be the popular ones who shine in the darkness, and people are going to resist the light. We have to make a choice as Christians to rise up to the opportunity to share the gospel and His great love; our world is hungry for it. John 1:5 says, the lights shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Our flame may grow dim, but darkness will NEVER overcome our light. We stand in victory and we have the power over the darkness. 

Press into God this week, spend time not in the news or listening to people predicting the next apocalypse, but just sit with God and His presence and ask Him to ignite your flame that is already burning inside of you and go be the light of the world. We can keep fighting the good fight for the JOY that is set before us. Be blessed and shine on. 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9