“Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness.” Luke 11:35

I don’t know about y’all, but “This Little Light of Mine” was my JAM when I was six. I would scream-sing it around the house for hours on end. It’s catchy, right? Letting your light shine, showing the world who you are and whose you are.

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In a world overcome by darkness–racism, mass shootings, terrorism, war, famine–that simple idea of ‘letting our light shine’ gets more complex by the day. How can we sing of goodness when our hearts are breaking? Or when it’s easier to sit in despair? Or when our anger consumes our thoughts and hate rests on the tip of our tongues?

It is in those moments where we must turn to the source of our light. There is nowhere too dark that God cannot touch. There is nothing too broken that He cannot fix. We must pray through our brokenness and foster our relationships with our Father.

Relationships are built through mutual trust and honesty, and God expects nothing less. Be honest with Him about your feelings, doubts, and questions. Trust that He is good, and He is with you on this journey. Darkness is not of God. Carrying the weight of the world is not in His plans for you. Give it up to God and let him carry it, so that you can walk your path with purpose.

As vessels of grace and mercy, we cannot let anyone or anything scare us into hiding our light. I know it’s easier to stay in our feelings, to be hurt. But we are called to be His light. There is someone out there more hurt than you. Be their light at the end of the tunnel. Where there is fear or shame, He supplies courage. Where there is hate, He brings love and forgiveness.

Be brave. Let your light shine when it’s easier to give into your emotions. Let your light shine when you are facing earthly troubles. Let your light shine for all to see. Choose light.
Armor yourself with light in a world of darkness. Together let us sing, “This little light of mine. I’m going to let shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

Father God, in a world of darkness let us be your lanterns. Use us as your hands and feet, to go out and set the world on fire with your light. Help us conquer our fears and doubts. Remind us that we can do all things through you. Amen.