Sacred Insight: Living it out in community
How does this scripture apply to how you relate to your own community – whether fellow believers or those who are not yet believers?
This little light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine… This was one of the first songs I learned in Sunday School and one of the first songs I taught my kids. So simple and yet so profound. This simple song teaches us that we have this soul within us, a soul that is capable of bringing joy and light to others.
This Little Light of Mine is not just a song. It’s our commitment to spreading that joy – the joy of our salvation and faith in God, to everyone around us.
Our scripture promises that whoever follows Christ will have the “light of life”. I don’t think of light as just something that just illuminates our path, but something that illuminates our soul and our minds, too.
As children we have an irrepressible light. We find joy and delight in the simplest things. A passing airplane. A goofy smile. A dog’s waggly tail.
And when a baby expresses joy with a big gurgly belly laugh, he can’t help but transferring his joy and light to others, because it is impossible to hear a baby laugh without laughing yourself. It’s that so amazing that even a baby can let their light shine?
It’s such a gift that God made joy to be so contagious. And spreading joy is one of the things we’re called to do as apprentices of Jesus. We experience the joy of the Lord and spread that joy to others.
And how do we do that? First, we steep our hearts in God’s goodness, mercy and love. Soak it in like a sponge via His Word, fellowship with other believers, and by practicing gratitude. Then, spread that light and joy of the Lord with our lives.
Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Like stars in the sky… I just love that call to quietly shine – to live lives so joyful that we can’t help but bring light to those around us.
So, this week, be mindful that when the people around you choose to indulge in sinful behavior – gossiping, judging or showing favoritism, be the one to take a step back, remain silent or speak up for those who have no voice. Show others what it looks like to embody love and compassion, instead. Be the one with words of comfort and encouragement when the rest of the world is name-calling and acting hatefully.
Our scripture tells us that we who are followers of Jesus do not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. What a gift! So take that light and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
When you hear the song “This Little Light of Mine,” what memories or feelings come up for you?
Why do you think something so simple can still feel so powerful?
What do you think it means to have the “light of life”? How is that different from just being a “good person” or doing nice things?
The devotion talks about how joy is contagious—like a baby’s laugh. Can you think of a time when someone else’s joy changed your mood or perspective?
What helps you “refill” your light when you feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed?
Which spiritual practices help you soak in God’s joy the most?
Live It Out:
- Commit to 5 minutes a day to meditate on and reflect on this verse. Listen to the meditation track or simply read our scripture slowly in sections, allowing for the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
- Change your mind: Use your journal to start recording the things you are grateful for, every day. Be specific.
- Christ is the picture of humility and patience. Meditate on what it would look like in your own life to emulate those qualities and be intentional this week. Start by listening deeply to those around you.