“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (Matthew 5:15).

The children in church sing a catchy little song titled “This Little Light of Mine” as they are taught how important it is to keep their little lights shining for Jesus. We can take a clue from the children’s song about our light as grownups too. Jesus lit our candle for the purpose of letting it shine in the darkness of the world, illuminating it for Him. We are an extensive flame of Jesus in this world of darkness, so we need to “let it shine.”

“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16).

“This Little Light of Mine.”
No one’s light is too small to be significant. Even the ‘littlest’ light shines brightly in darkness. Though the light is mine, it didn’t originate with me. Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world.” Actually we are a reflective light. It is the light of Jesus shining through us that causes us to be illuminated. Now that I am the light of Christ, I have the responsibility --and privilege-- to keep my lamp clean and polished so His Light will have maximum output for the world of darkness to see the way to Him.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14).

“I’m Gonna Let It Shine.”
A light can’t help but shine! It is its nature. I can subdue it by hiding it or displaying it in a dirty lamp; but to let it shine, all I have to do is provide a clean lamp, keep it visible for others to see and just let it shine. I don’t make it shine; I can’t. Its source and power are not mine. I’m just the receptacle, and I allow it to illuminate me so others can then see the Light of Christ--in me.

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
(Luke 8:16-18)

“Won’t Let Satan Blow It Out.”
From the time you were born, Satan has had an agenda for you: To, first, blind you from and prevent you from coming to the Light; and, secondly, once you found the Light and walked in it, to attempt to diminish and (he hopes) extinguish your light. He tries to lure you back into the darkness where he is. But if you continue to walk in the Light of Christ, Satan is powerless to entice you. We are not immune to his attempts; even Jesus was tempted, but without sin. The darkness looses its appeal as we walk in the Light.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
 

“Hide It Under a Bushel, No!”
The purpose of a light is to shine and give light so that all in the house can see. It is meant to be visible and useful. A lamp without a light is not beneficial. It has no power supply on its own. It must have a source outside itself and receive power to be illuminated. Jesus is our power source; and without our connection to Him, we are a lamp without a light.  John the Baptist was a 'witness' to the True Light "which gives light to every man coming into the world" (John 1:9).  We too are witnesses to the True Light that the whole world may "see" Him.

“…for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“…that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

“Let It Shine Until Jesus Comes.”
The Light of Christ shining in our receptacle is an eternal flame. It is not just for this life, but its rays extend into eternity where we will dwell in the glow of the Light of the 'Lamb of God.' We will dwell in the presence of God and Jesus where there is no darkness.  John saw the new holy city "coming down out of heaven from God."  The city did not need a sun or moon because "the glory of God illuminated it...the Lamb is its light...those who are saved shall walk in its light" (Revelation 21:23).

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

“Let It Shine Everywhere I Go.”
While our light reveals the path that God has prepared for us, it also lights the way for others to follow. It is God’s intention that we be a continual witness of His Light to those in darkness to bring them to the Light.  It is not practical to expect that we will only walk with others who have the Light of Christ; we will be required to walk in dark places where Christ is not known nor welcome.  It is then that our lights will shine their brightest.  In the darkest places, even a "little light" will cast a glow of the "Light."

“Wherefore lift up the hands which hand down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed” (Hebrews 12: 12, 13).
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followed me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

How bright Heaven will be with the Light of the Lamb and all those in whom His light shines throughout eternal ages!

Until then--Your little light, “Let it shine!”

This Little Light of Mine

(Music playing)

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.

Won't let Satan blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine;
Won't let Satan blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine;
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine;
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine;
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine;
Let it shine till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine;
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine everywhere I go
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine everywhere I go
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
 

"For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light"  (Psalm 36:9).