I began a morning run outside in the dark. I am not talking about slightly dark, dusk or dark with streetlights along the way. We are talking pitch black. If it were not for my small, dim cell phone glow, I would not have been able to continue the run. The glow was small. But it made all the difference.
When I told others about my “run in the dark” they commented, “There is no way the cell phone glow would make a difference in total darkness.” But I knew the light had made all the difference. In the spiritual sense, I am prone to listen to others or look at logic and numbers to confirm the value of my little light-driven decisions and actions. My mind begins to question, “What difference will it make to smile at this stranger? Give away one clothing item? Love this unkind person? Say I’m sorry?”
By stepping out with our selfless lights of Jesus, through small acts of kindness, love and generosity, we overcome Satan and bring the kingdom of light into this dark world. God’s Word is the light we follow to give us wisdom and clarity for our present unknowns. As others watch our reliance on Jesus, they are motivated to do the same in their own lives.
So if our identity and mission is to be the light of the world, let’s not become so self-consumed, self-defeated or busy to do what we were made to do. Let’s rekindle the flame of God-given passions and gifting we may have become complacent to put “under a basket” and instead say, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” May we stand on the promises of God’s Word. Loving God and loving others with our little light does make a difference.
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (Psalm 139:11–12 ESV).
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16 ESV).
Jillian Willis of Newberg, Oregon, is a worship arts pastor and the author of “Sing Over Me: A Women’s Devotional through the Psalms” (fmchr.ch/jwillis) and a blogger at standingonpeace.com.
DISCUSSION:
[1] How are you letting your little light shine in your neighborhood, job, church and family?
[2] How have others dimmed your light, or in what way have you hid your light under a bushel?
