Burning Bright

As we traveled the roads of Barry County this evening on our way home from my parents house we were treated to a couple of light shows that only our creator could give us. In the west, the sun had set and the sky was an amazing shade of orange. It was as if God had taken out one of his paint brushes and perfectly stroked the western sky with an opaque hue of vermilion.

We were also able to watch the luminous lights of the firefly this evening. Hundreds if not thousands of these little bugs pranced throughout the evening sky showing off their best moves for us and for their lady/boy friends.

These two forms of light were incredible this evening. They reminded me of how amazing my creator is and how small I am. It also reminded me to look at my own light. It made me think, what does my light look like?
As a kid, I sang the song "This Little Light of Mine" all the time, not thinking much of it. I enjoyed this song, because it required me to show off my finger as if it were a candle. At the tip of this imaginary candle held and imaginary lit wick in which I was to show off to all my other snot-nosed, fake candle lit friends.
The goal was to keep this wick on fire no matter the circumstances. My two personal favorites were/are "hide it under a bushel...NO" and "don't let satan blow (or actually blow) it out"
This song is such a simple song, but it's a song that I thought of tonight as drove north on Patterson Road.

Am I letting my little light shine? Am I showing off my Savior the best I can or am I hiding it under my thick skin? Am I letting satan get a little snort of his evil on my fire or do I have it protected on all sides?

Jesus says,

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

~Matthew 5:14-16

Did you read that? We are the light of the world. If you are a Christian you have something that many people would love to have a fire that should not be extinguished. This isn't something that appears occasionally, like the nightlight in my daughters room that turns on only when the other lights are off or the light that burns in a campfire, but must be put out after the s'mores and weenies are put away. No! Jesus is talking a flame that cannot be extinguished.

So what does your flame look like? Is your flame one of the trick candles that goes out for a time when your not at church or around your Christian friends, but turns back on as soon as you are around them? Does your candle burn on mission trips, during a difficult time in your life or when you hear that certain song on the radio?

I like what the second part of this passage says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Notice Jesus doesn't say, "let your light shine so that others can see how wonderful you are."

Jesus points your flame to God's glory.

I think this is what makes keeping that flame going so tough. We want the recognition for the good that we have done. We want people to know that these things that are happening would not be happening if were not for us. Jesus disagrees. To God be the glory...not Josh! To God be the glory...not you! To God be the glory for the great things He has done!!!
God deserves all the glory for the things we do. We could not do anything without the amazing power of our Lord. We are a messed up people that need to recognize that our little light we have been given would not have even been lit, had it not been for the amazing mercy and grace that God has given us.

Let your light shine so that God will be praised.