This Little Light of Mine...

We have all heard the song… This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

But do you actually believe it? Do you actually let your light shine every day?

The same spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, LIVES IN YOU.

As soon as you become a Christ follower, His light LITERALLY lives inside each of us.

I don’t know about you, but this world can seem pretty dark some times. I mean, it can appear as though the darkness wins and dims our light so it doesn’t even really shine anymore. The distractions, the temptations, the doubt, the fear; it’s all real.

Every single day.

It was so easy to sing that song when I was a child. It was actually one of my favourite songs. I would sing it at Sunday school, at home and even on the playground with my friends. As a child, life seemed so simple. So pure. So hopeful. As we get older and as life marches on it can be harder to let the light shine. Why can’t I have that same joy and fulfillment as I did then? Why does it seem so much more hard work to let my light shine?

Today, I want you to know you are a light warrior. You are a light bearer. You are that pillar of hope to the darkest part of the world. And let’s be honest, we also need light for each other so we can shine even brighter.

When I say light warriors, I do not mean to sound cheesy, but in order to keep this light alive, we have to fight. We have to be strong. We are without a doubt, warriors of the true light.

This light comes not from us, but because the Holy Spirit, God’s presence, is living among us. He is there, encouraging you to understand who God is. Then, He lives in you the moment you accept Christ as your personal Savior. He is there, every step of your walk in faith, even when you forget.

Scripture says, and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads you into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you will know Him, because He lives with you and later will be in you. Soon this world will no longer know my light, but will see it in you. Since I live, you will also live.

Okay, so now I hope you have gotten your mind around the fact that we are made ALIVE with Christ. But this seems easier said than done. How do we remain in this light? How do we keep the fire constantly burning?

John 15 gives us the answer: Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much [light]. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! So, remain in my love.

So, you can either hide or you can choose to remain in God's love and be a radiant fire.

It only takes a spark.

The key is surrendering to let God work inside of you, so that light can shine as brightly as it was meant to be.

Ephesians 5 shows us:

Imitate God in everything you do. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. For once you were full of darkness but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good, right and true.

I dare you to walk in His light.

Get rid of that fear, doubt and darkness that shadows across your life. Is God calling you to do something? Go out and do it. Is God wanting you to go and talk to that lost friend? Go and talk to them. Have you made a terrible mistake? Ask for forgiveness.

Give it all up to God and press on.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:14, you are the light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your Christ-likeness shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Can you pause for a moment? I am serious. Just stop worry about your school paper, your latest text message or what you are going to make for dinner tonight.

Just pause.

Do you believe that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you? Do you have faith that the Holy Spirit can move mountains and make the impossible possible? Can you put your trust and foundation into the God who created everything?

As I write this, I am getting goose bumps. You and I have the amazing task of carrying God’s light, wherever we go.

I hope this shakes you down to your bones.

So, yeah. I am gonna let it shine.

Will you?

Be Empowered:

The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you - Romans 8:11

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness, but will also have that same light - John 8:12

For you lived in great darkness, but know you have the light of the Lord. So, walk as children of that light - Ephesians 5:8

*photography Lisa.Campbell.Photography.