This Little Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine

Many of you are familiar with the song that shares the same title as this journal.  This children’s song encourages the believer of Jesus Christ to let their light shine for the world to see.  Most likely inspired by the 5^th chapter of the book of Matthew, we discussed in Sunday school class that in the days that these scriptures were written people would place a basket over their lights when they wanted to dim the lights because blowing out the flame would create more challenges to reignite it.  So the song says, “hide it under a bushel, NO! I’m gonna let it shine” and again, encourages Christians to not be ashamed of the light that burns within.  A friend then shared a story from his brother that reminded me of a stories my mother has shared with me.

During the Second World War, the event that bore the date of infamy as declared by FDR, my mother told me stories of what life was like here in Hawaii.  As Japanese they were looked upon with suspicion by the US government.  Many things they owned that was of Japanese origin was confiscated.  For safety everyone was asked to stay indoors as often as possible and especially in the night.  She recalls that they were told to paint their windows black and use very little light.  The reason for this of course is to avoid being an obvious target for potential bombings.  The light draws the enemy.

So here I come back to this song and verse of encouragement to let your light shine.  Some versions of the song say, “I ain’t gonna let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine”, and with such joy and often overconfidence we sing those words.  These words speak a significant reality to the attack of the Enemy for those who let their light shine.  The true light of Jesus Christ will draw attention. 

In this world of darkness the light of Jesus is needed for many to illuminate the path that leads to life.  As a believer you are the wick that holds the flame of Christ that penetrates darkness.  Some will hide the flame and others will burn people with it.  All who let the true Light of Jesus Christ shine, and sadly I feel there are fewer than we all hope, will draw the attention and possible attack of the enemy.  Be on guard my friends.  Be bold.  Find encouragement in Jesus’ words, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”