The Tea With Bailey: This Little Light Of Mine

As children, we all heard the song “This little light of mine.” The song, while simple and charming, holds the truth that as Christians, we are meant to be light to a very dark world corrupted by sin.

Whenever I envision our light, I often picture a candle due to the song that was a large part of my childhood. Even though candles are a great visual, I don’t want my light to look like the light of a candle. 

While candles are beautiful and do give off luminescence, they are incredibly finicky. At the first breath of wind or turbulence, the candle’s light is extinguished. The flame that once burned bright is now gone, leaving an encroaching darkness in its place.

As Christians, we shouldn’t desire to be candles – losing our drive and our commitment to biblical truth when things get hard or those winds of trouble blow around in our lives.

We should desire to be something that endures through hard times instead of just being faithful during the good times. Something that holds tight to truth and allows the storms of life to cause their light to burn brighter, not dimmer.

Instead of candles, we should desire to be coals.

Coal may not be beautiful or noticeable to most people, but there is something about them that stands out. Instead of the flame burning on the outside where it is easily destroyed or extinguished, it is a different kind of light.

The fire inside of the coal smolders, and when adversity comes and blows its angry breath, the light inside the coal does not extinguish. Instead, it bursts into flame, causing an inferno of light for all to see. 

We should strive to let our light shine like the coal, burning deeply and passionately and exploding with light instead of being extinguished when times get hard.

Letting our light shine as Christians isn’t just an option – it was a command given by Jesus to His disciples during the Great Commission. Before his ascension, Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

As we strive to make disciples, our light becomes more important than ever before.

How are we supposed to bring people to Christ if we look like the world instead of being a stark contrast to the darkness around us?

We are told in Matthew 5:16 to “Let your light shine before men.” We are also told in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill should not be hid.” 

We shouldn’t suppress our light or hide it under a bushel. As a city set on a hill we are set apart and called to illuminate a world that is oppressed by the darkness of the enemy. The light we have was given to us by Jesus, and what better way to express our thankfulness for his wonderful gift than by passing it on to others?

Don’t be content with being a candle. As we are told in Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Bailey Duran is the Opinion Editor. Follow her on Twitter at @duran_bailey.