“This Little Light of Mine” is one of my favorite children’s songs. I literally do not remember learning it. It seems like I have known it all my life. The song is based on Matthew 5:14-16. Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

A candle is a wonderful illustration of how we are to provide light to the world around us. A candle does not light itself. A flame must be applied to the candle to begin burning. So it is with us. The light that we give off is not our own, but is the light of Christ.

A candle gives off light by sacrificing a little bit of itself moment by moment. Eventually, a candle will burn out, having given all it can. But in so doing, it is not wasted. It fulfills its purpose.

To be effective, a candle must be placed in a prominent place. A hidden candle is useless. It needs to be visible to serve its purpose of giving light to its surroundings. That light reveals things so they are clearly seen. The candle is not responsible for what people do with the information it reveals. It is only responsible for burning and being visible.

Do you have the light of Christ in you? Are you letting that light shine, or are you hiding it? None of us should want to be on a pedestal of pride, but neither should we refuse the candlestick the Lord has for us. Stand tall, and let your light burn brightly for the glory of God.