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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Friday, February 20, 2004 This Little Light of Mine |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, February 20, 2004, by Mike Martine
“This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine,
Let it shine…”
Sometimes, when I’m singing with children (as I was last night), I’ll get an idea in my head.
We were singing “This Little Light,” which, of course, is always a favorite, and I suddenly remembered something from Ben Franklin’s “Autobiography.”
As a young man, Franklin developed a personal regimen for moral and ethical improvement. (Those of you who have taken Franklin “Time Management” Seminars might recall some of this.) In essence, Franklin had daily goals, and one of those goals was to “emulate Christ and Socrates” in all things.
Franklin could never be accused of shooting too low. But when you think about it, this was how he sought to let his light “shine.”
“This Little Light” is a favorite song for children because it’s catchy and has cute motions. But, in reality, following the words of the song is essential to Christian life.
When I was younger, I would wake up in the morning with a thought - how will I let my light shine today? Now, with the pressures of ministry, two children, and a two career household, I often wake up with the thought - how am I going to get through the day?
As Christians, we need to seek to live lives that are marked by more than just getting by. We need to let our “lights” shine. I realized yesterday, singing with children, that I need to start approaching each new day with my old question. “How will I let my light shine?”
Let your light shine as well. Take every step of your life asking the question, “How will I let my light shine?” You might not quite hit the realm of Christ and Socrates, but your faith will grow.
Let us pray: Father, let your light shine in us. Make us messengers of your love and examples of your grace. Allow us to realize that, of all the things we do, nothing is as important as living a life that reflects your love. In the name of Jesus, AMEN.
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