“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:4-5, NIV
There is something unique about light and darkness, where there is light there can not also be darkness. If you place a lamp in a dark room, the room is no longer dark but light. The darkness does not overtake the light but rather the light takes the place of the darkness. This can also be true about shining our lights.
When recalling the "This Little Light of Mine" song, the lyrics that talk about hiding it under a bushel is a symbol of sin covering the light. We often make decisions that can hide God's light from showing in our lives, but when we choose Him, His light shines through us.
In the world, there is goodness and people glorifying God. However, there is also the opposite. There is darkness, suffering and sin. John 1:5 says that the “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus has conquered death, sin and the world. We, as Christians, do not have to be afraid of the darkness of the world or evil.
With the Holy Spirit inside of us, we always have an opportunity to be a light. We can choose to pursue peace, hope and love in a time when there seems to be none. We can care about others when they might not care for us. We can follow Christ when the world is going the opposite way. Our lights can consume the darkness, but with Christ our lights will not burn out.
No matter the darkness around us or the struggles we are facing, we can show the love of Christ and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
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*Retrieved from This Little Light of Mine, 1920
