Big Idea: Living it out in community
How does this scripture apply to how you relate to your own community – whether fellow believers or those who are not yet believers?
This little light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine… This was one of the first songs I learned in Sunday School growing up, and one of the first songs I taught my kids. So simple and yet so profound. This simple song teaches us that we have this soul within us, this soul that is capable of bringing joy and light to others. This Little Light of Mine is not just a song. It’s our commitment to spreading that joy – the joy of our salvation and faith in God, to everyone around us.
Our scripture promises that whoever follows Christ will have the “light of life”. I don’t think of light as just something that illuminates our path, but illuminates our soul and our minds as well.
As children we have an irrepressible light. We find joy and delight in the simplest things. A passing airplane. A goofy smile. A dog’s waggly tail.
And when a baby expresses joy with a big gurgly belly laugh, they can’t help but transferring their joy and their light to others, because it is impossible to see and hear a baby laugh without at least smiling, if not laughing yourself. That’s right, even a baby can unwittingly let their light shine!
It’s fascinating and beautiful that the joy is so contagious. And that’s what we’re called to do. Have the joy of the Lord and spread that joy to others.
How do we do that? First, we steep our hearts in God’s goodness, mercy and love. Soak that in like a sponge through his Word, fellowship with other believers and by practicing copious amounts of gratitude. Then, we are equipped to spread the light and joy of the Lord with our lives.
Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Like stars in the sky… I just love that call to just quietly shine. To live lives so exemplary that we can’t help by bring light to those around us. So, when the people around you choose to indulge in sinful behavior – gossiping, judging and showing favoritism, instead, be the one to take a step back, remain silent or speak up for those who need an advocate. Show others what it looks like to embody love and compassion, instead. Be the one with words of comfort and encouragement when the rest of the world is name-calling and acting hatefully.
Our scripture tells us that we who are followers of Jesus do not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. What a gift! So take that light and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Can you think of someone who is walking in darkness? Someone who not only does not follow Jesus, but carries a palpable darkness around them. How can you be a light to that person?
Live It Out:
- Commit to 5 minutes a day to meditate on and reflect on this verse. Listen to the meditation track or simply read our scripture slowly in sections, allowing for the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
- Change your mind: Use your journal to start recording the things you are grateful for, every day. Be specific.
- Christ is the picture of humility and patience. Meditate on what it would look like in your own life to emulate those qualities and be intentional this week. Start by listening deeply to those around you.