My Worst/Best is messed up. Her schedule that is. Instead of wanting to go outside at 5:45 am for our morning stroll, the last couple of days she’s wanted to go out at 5:00 am! I love to walk in the first hint of morning light, however, at 5:00 am it is pitch black. Without the light to help us see what we need to avoid in the dark, that’s a dangerous time to walk in our neck of the words especially since I’ve recently smelled a skunk on our path. P-U!
What I noticed in the pitch black today was the lights. In the darkness the lights shone. Some lights super bold, some lights were mellow, some white, some yellow, some were distant, some were welcoming, some were barely perceptible. Then I took a look at the sky. Millions and millions of lights shining in the universe. The light of hope against the backdrop of despair.
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
What a promise. Following Jesus takes us out of the darkness and into the light. The light of eternity.
Just as Jesus is the Light of the World, we believers are called to be the same.
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
Sometimes our light will be bold and bright, sometimes our lights will be white and pure, sometimes glimmers in the distance, or shining brightly for all to see. The fact of the matter is that any light in the darkness will shine. The brighter the light shines though, the less darkness there will be.
Shining sometimes seems a daunting task in our world today. We shine, we flicker, we fail to fan the flames, we’re snuffed, we’re coals. Jesus understands that. But we need to remember that no matter what happened to Jesus, no matter the adversity, the trials, the persecution, the hatred, the physical pain and suffering, the heart pain and suffering, no matter…Darkness can never overcome the Light, the Light always overcomes the darkness.
We must persevere in our shining. Jesus did no less.
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Daniel 12:3
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!
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine!
All around the neighborhood, I’m gonna let it shine!
All around my place of work, I’m gonna let it shine!
Walking through the grocery store, I’m gonna let it shine!
Won’t let Satan snuff it out, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!