“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Mark 4 21-23 says, “He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Observation: Jesus is preaching using a series of parables that teaches people about the Kingdom of God. Before this passages he is using a seed as the main example to describe our faith. Then he moves onto a lamp that represents our faith to those around us. It is a light. And it should shine to those around us.

Application: There is song that says, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” I’ve been singing that song since I was a child. It was meant to teach children that we should be bold in sharing our love of God with those around us. As I think about this passage now, there are parts of my life that I may not be too proud to let shine to those around me. Sometimes I can get consumed with fear, frustration, faithlessness, pride, etc. I guess you could say that I will let about 90 present of my life shine, but there is 10 percent that I want to put under a bowl so others can’t see. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” There are portions that I don’t want others too see because it may not lead them to praise God. I need to examine my life and faith and sniff out the things that I want to hide under a bowl.

Prayer: God, show me today what it is that I’m hiding under a bowl.  Let my light shine, 100 percent of my light, to those around me.