Let it shine

"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." Matthew 5:15

As I headed out the door early yesterday morning to get in a run before church, I flipped on my headlamp. Within several minutes though, the sky was illuminated enough for my eyes to adjust to the partial darkness and maneuver without it. But as I reached up to turn it off, I hesitated since I was still on a main highway. Would a motorist be able to see me if I put the lamp out? Especially from a distance? "Of course not," I thought. So I turned it on a little brighter as I smiled and started singing a song from my youth, "This little light of mine... I'm gonna let it shine... let it shine, let it shine, let it shine." 

And you know, while the Bible is very clear that you and I are to let our light, or good deeds, shine, many of us aren't. You see, when we live lives sold-out for Christ, we are like lamps that are "placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house." In other words, we can't help but release light whereby others can see Jesus. But we hide that light, or put "it under a basket", when we conform to the ways of the world, fail to love others the way we are called, or do things to bring ourselves recognition and glory rather than God. 

And if you think just one of us letting our light shine won't make a difference in this world, consider this, "If Earth were flat, or if you were standing atop a mountain surveying a larger-than-usual patch of the planet, you could perceive bright lights hundreds of miles distant. On a dark night, you could even see a candle flame flickering up to 30 miles away." So may you and I vow to let nothing put out our light so we can... let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Heavenly Father, help us to live for You in a way that the world will see our lamp from miles away. Help us to shine so bright that there would be doubt that it is the light of Jesus shining from within us. May our hearts' desire be to bring you glory as we work to lead others to the foot of the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Let your light shine - P.J. Anderson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lJnGPq6-o