I Was Shining My Light and Then I Blew It

Our Pastor just completed a series called  Letting Your Light Shine.  A topic I have heard many times before yet so practical.  There is always more to learn from familiar passages.  One of the take home questions to think about was, “Where and how will I let my light shine this week?”

Matthew 5:13–16     “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I grew up singing songs like,   “This Little Light of Mine”, “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” and “Pass It On”.  We would sing This Little Light to our children and one son delighted in blowing on my finger like a birthday candle.  The second verse says , “don’t let Satan blow it out”,  a warning to take care of our light.  There are simple words and melodies in these songs but they hold deep truth. God’s light is in us but we need constant fuel (prayer and the Bible)  to keep burning brightly and it is our duty to pass the light on and not keep God’s message of love to ourselves.

What happens if you “blow it”?   A week ago I was in a zoom meeting for a committee.  First of all, I don’t know these women at all except within the task force we work together on and they don’t know anything about me.  Secondly, I find all of this “techy stuff” frustrating at times – it’s hard to see and hear everyone clearly. To make a long story short ; One woman thought she needed to tell me in detail what I needed to do.  I asked her to stop, twice, and she didn’t look at me or stop talking….and I yelled “STOP, I don’t need to be spoon fed blah blah”.  Dead silence . Yup I blew it. I lost composure and  almost immediately heard a “POOOUFFF and GOTCHA” in my subconscious…..  The meeting continued, I apologized at the end of the meeting for my outburst and again in writing and everything seems good.  Oooh but that incident bothered me all night as I reviewed what could have happened differently.

I am so greatful that God is gracious and patient with me.  I realized that I have been overstretched lately and my quiet times have been short. Satan knows just the right buttons to push.  Everyone who has had kids knows the feeling of being cranked up til you feel like you will pop.  In school my conduct was always good however my mouth would get me in trouble – always talking.  I’m glad God can even use my gift of gab for His purposes when my heart is in tune with His.  However, my light cannot burn brightly if I am running out of fuel.

Psalm 141:3   Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

1 Peter 2:12    Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Can you think of a time when you “blew it”. Your little light went pouff?  You may have a different tripping point that catches you off guard. God knows it already and He is ready and able to help us in our weaknesses.  First we confess to Him. Second we apologize to whom ever we offended and try to renew the relationship.  May we start each day with a new light full and ready to shine for Him.

3rd verse of Pass It On by Kurt Kaiser

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you’re bound
I’ll shout it from the mountain top
I want my world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on