This Little Light of Mine

 We live in an area that loses power when someone sneezes. No, not really. But if a storm comes through, we will lose power. I think the longest we have been out of power was 20 hours. And the shortest was three seconds.  So we have to be prepared for those situations. We make sure we have candles and matches, that our phones are fully charged, and that we have food that doesn’t need to be cooked. 

But what would be the point if we have candles yet no way to light them. No matches or lighters. What benefit would we have? Absolutely none. A candle does us no good if it won’t shine. A candle is worthless without it’s flame. Well, they can be beautiful and smell good...but that is pretty much it. The flame of the candle is its main purpose. To light the way. 

In the Bible, it says "ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. And it give them light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Matthew 5:14-16. 

We are the candle. But if we don’t have a flame, how are we to point others to Jesus? Just like my family having to be prepared for a power outage, we too must be prepared to shine our light. But we can’t wait to have the flame right before we need it. There are things we must do to obtain that flame. Prayer, Bible study, having a relationship with the flame creator. This is part of being prepared. The lack of preparation is like hiding the candle under the bushel. It is like the song, "this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! Won’t let Satan blow it out! Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine!" 

From the Desire of Ages pg 307 it says, "True character is not shaped from without, and put on; It radiates from within. If we wish to direct others in the paths of righteousness, the principals of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth. The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active benevolent spirit, the godly example—These are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world." 

Let your light shine. Don’t just have a candle. Light it up. Point others to Jesus. A prayer I pray regularly is let my light shine so others can see You. I don’t want my candle to be flameless. I want my light to shine. How about you? Let your light shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. But this is possible only By God’s Amazing Grace.