This Little Light of Mine

Prayer of Joy:

Lord,
What a wonderful world you have made! I thank you for the beauty of the earth, and the many surprises that await me each day. Help me to continue to see opportunity, even in challenge. I receive this day with joy. Amen

Reading: Mark 4:21-23

Jesus said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

Meditation:

This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine…

This simple song is surely in a close race with “Jesus Loves Me,” for the distinction of first song learned in Sunday School. People who have grown up in church tend to know “This Little Light of Mine”. Because it is a Sunday School song, it may be considered sweet, but not too weighty. This isn’t “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” after all.

But what a wonderful message this is! In a Lutheran baptismal service, a representative of the congregation lights a candle and gives it to the one baptized (or the parents, if the baptized is a small child). As the candle is given, the representative says, “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.” The congregation, as the embodiment of the Body of Christ, calls upon the newly baptized person to shine, shine, shine, so that God may be glorified.

God has “lit us up.” We all have a light within us, and we’re called to illuminate the world with it. Jesus reminds us that just as we wouldn’t put a lamp under a bushel basket, neither should we hide our light from the world.

--How can you “let your light shine before others?” What special light has God given to you?

Prayer of promise:

Holy One,
Thank you for filling me up with the light which comes from you. I promise to let my light shine, to illuminate the world with works of justice and charity. I will not hide my light, but will make it a blessing for all to behold. Amen