Hide it under a bush, no!...I'm gonna let it shine...
Don't let Satan blow it out... I'm gonna let it shine...
Let is shine till Jesus comes...I'm gonna let it shine..."
Most of you have heard this song before. It is an old song sung in Sunday schools everywhere. I am a preschool teacher and I was teaching it to my class this last week. As I was singing I was struck by the truth and honesty of the words being sung. Some of us may not know old hymns but a lot of us can recall the songs we sang as a little child and this being one of the classics. Let's look at this old Sunday school song and each verse.
"Hide it under a bush, no!..."
I remember singing the "No!" as loud as I possibly could as a kid. I remember thinking there is no way we are going to let the light of Jesus lie dormant within our hearts. Unfortunately in today's world there are so many that allow that to happen for fear of being ridiculed or judged. A lot of our society looks at biblical based Christianity as being antiquated and no longer relevant in our current culture. A lot of people are Sunday only Christians: attending church on Sunday, banning smoking or drinking on Sunday and then the rest of the week going about their business with their lights hiding under a bush. Ultimately this kind of lifestyle leads to the second verse:
"Don't let Satan blow it out..."
Do not allow Satan to slip in the thought that you will be offensive to others or come off as judgmental. It isn't up to us to judge anyways. That is God's job. Our biggest witness is to be the best example we can be in front of others. The best way to live a life of faith is to share your life of faith: sharing your story of deliverance with others, encouraging others with a smile or kind word, and helping those less fortunate. The enemy wants to snuff out our light so that our candle wick, if you will, will look the same as everyone else's. I promise you that if your's was on fire for Jesus, then you would be unstoppable. Our goal is for people to see something different about you that makes others stop in their tracks and ask you about it. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..."
"Let it shine till Jesus comes..."
In Hebrews 10 it says, "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."
This is a calling to take our lights and let them shine! Keep the fire flamed by the fuel of God's Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to blow you in the direction of God's will. Keep confident of the faith that God has given you, then you will accomplish God's plan for your life.
Where God is there is no darkness! He called us out of the darkness and into the wonderful saving power of His light! Let's proclaim the freedom in the light! Freedom from strongholds, sickness, anxiety, addictions, and any sin that lies to us telling us that the darkness is too dark. Not true! Greater is HE IN US, than he in the world-1 John 4:4.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)
Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)
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