★ Thought for the Day – Let Your Light Shine ★

In our last post, ★ Thought for the Day – The Family Juggernaut ★, we dug into how our family of origin can influence the trajectory of our lives and that we need to follow in how Jesus did not allow the doubts of his juggernaut derail His mission on this earth. Today I want to build upon that foundation to help us move to the next level. With my Mom’s passing being so recent, I can’t help but think about the past and the fact that I am the last in my family line. My mother, my father, my grandparents are all gone which lands the responsibility solely on my shoulders. I was going through old photos and stumbled upon this one from 1996 when my Mom and I went on a vacation to Washington D.C. My Mom (in the pink) got a rare opportunity to touch the Olympic Torch that was part of the historic relay that marked the hundredth anniversary of the Modern Games which started in Olympia Greece and ended in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s interesting that the Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, but now it is a wonderful memory of a time that my Mom and I shared today. At the end of the relay, the fire is used to lite the cauldron which is kept burning throughout the celebration of the Olympics for all to see. I did a little research and found out that Muhammad Ali was the one who lit the 1996 Olympic cauldron in Atlanta at the opening ceremony. Now 20 years later both Ali and my mother are gone but their memory lives on.

Light has so much significance from providing heat to driving out the darkness and that is what has been on my heart of late. As I was writing this Thought, I just saw an All Laundry Detergent advertisement for their All PowerCore Pacs Oxi product using the classic gospel song called “This Little Light of Mine.” Now my past did not include singing it myself but its meaning is far more valuable to be used to sell laundry detergent! Today’s Thought will unpack its significance.

There is such darkness in the world…You don’t have to look to far to see the pervasive atmosphere of hopelessness, pessimism and skepticism abounds and I believe that is a result of a lack of people who genuinely care for anyone other than themselves. And that lack of empathy is the perfect breeding ground for hate to well up. Martin Luther King, Jr. made this powerful statement that:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

In a time of such great turmoil in our country, I think it’s high time we start heeding Dr. King’s words and be the light that drives out the darkness! As believers in Jesus, it falls upon each of us to be that light that drives out the darkness. Jesus was the ultimate example. In John 8:12 (NLT) it records that:

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”

Dr. King was a great man of God who believed in that mission and followed in Jesus’ example. Jesus offers another way to live. His mission on earth was to lead all people to His Father so that we could have eternal life in Heaven. In Matthew 5:14, 16 (NKJV), Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The song that All Detergent is currently using to sell their product is based on Jesus’ command to “Let it shine!” But what does it mean to “let your light shine?” Is it for cleaner clothes? I think not! Charles Stanley has this great life lesson on this verse…

“Does anyone know that you are a light burning with the fire of heaven? What “good works” do they see you doing that reflect well on your heavenly Father? How does your faith cause you to behave differently from anyone else?”

Great questions right? In the post ★ Thought for the Day – Honest Self-Evaluation ★ we looked at the need to always make sure we are maturing in our walks with God and understanding what God’s heart is! Charles Stanley’s questions are critical for us to answer. So let me ask you, when was the last time you said an encouraging word to a person hurting or helped someone in need or went out of your way to do for anyone beside yourself? John 1:5 (ESV) made this declaration about Jesus that:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

We need to overcome the darkness but shining our light. I love this quote from Marvin J. Ashton that I believe this captures beautifully of what it means to let it shine!

“Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.”

The light burning in our heart as a result of chasing after Jesus should result in our behaviors and actions being different from others. Our concern for others should spur us on to make an impact and leave people better than you found them! I will close with a reminder of the mission from Luke 19:10 (ESV):

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus came to save the lost and we called to do the same! Here is a prayer from Louie Giglio to help us do that very thing…

“God today, open one door for me to be salt and light for someone in my city to either lift somebody up, to share my faith, to invite along or just meet one need. In Jesus name!”

This prayer is from the message called “Jesus is the Lead Story” from Louie Giglio, Passion City Church.

Let your light shine today!