Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NIV)

One of the most beloved children's hymns is This little light of mine, often attributed to Harry Dixon Loes. I can close my eyes and travel back to a time when I held out a makeshift lantern and sang those heartfelt lyrics to our church congregation. Even at that tender age, I knew that Jesus was there listening and smiling along with our church members, who had become my second family. Our lives were forever woven together through God's love and grace.

These family members are the light of the world. They shine their lanterns to light the way towards salvation for those who are lost.

Therefore, it is critical that we keep our lights polished and shining brightly, because it is in the darkness when "Our eyes have been distracted, our hearts have become discouraged, our joy has been diminished, and our work has been disrupted." – Jerry Flurry

God goes to great lengths to warn us about becoming like the world. To be called a Christian means to be a Christlike person — to be on fire for the Lord and to shine with childlike innocence and purity. The more that our souls surrender to the will of God, the brighter that our light shines! After all, "This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the earth!" – Keith Green

There is no better gift a parent can give a child than the support of a loving church community.

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life — to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting? – "Adam Bede", George Eliot, 1859

Dear friends, Christians are meant to shine with the glory of God that is within us. I have learned firsthand that holding that lantern would at times feel impossible, especially during the stormy seasons of my life. But please be assured that no matter how many chances that we have missed or mistakes that we have made, God still loves us, and encourages us to keep trying to shine for Him.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, please forgive us for all the times that we have let our light dim. We pray that, by Your Spirit living and breathing through us, we would be light and love in a world that desperately needs Your hope. Draw many to know You as Saviour and Lord. Shine Your light and push back the forces of darkness that surround us. By Your great power, Lord, open blind eyes and release those still imprisoned. Amen.

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About the author:

Lois Macdonald <loismacs5@gmail.com>
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
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