Faith in a Time of Pandemic – This Little Light of Mine

XXI.
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
(4-3)
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Growing up, I learned the simple song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” The verses that went with it were equally accessible to a young child – “Won’t hide it under a bushel basket, I’m gonna let it shine.” “All around the town, I’m gonna let it shine.” “Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine” and “Jesus Gave It To Me, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Everyone of us has a divine light shining forth. From every soul a light shines. Jesus is the light of the world and so are you. You may not go far but you can let your light shine. You can light a candle to challenge the darkness of fear in this time of pandemic.

If you were to add your own verses, what would it be? This morning I listened to Bruce Springsteen share this song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0qAYq1GVec. A version by the rhythm and blue singers singer Sam Cooke adds these words – “Even in my home, I’m gonna let it shine” and “When I see my neighbor coming, I’m gonna let it shine.” I thought about this time of pandemic and here’s what I came up with – “When I make a call, I’m gonna let it shine,” “When I see my grands, I’m gonna let it shine,” and “When I walk the beach, I’m gonna let it shine.”

We can shine like the stars of the heaven. We are lightbearers, who know that there’s plenty of darkness, but can let our light shine, claiming even the darkest places for God, grace, and love

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Let my light shine to give life and love to the world. Amen.
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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of our fifty books including FAITH IN ATIME OF PANDEMIC, GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET, AND BECOME FIRE: GUIDEPOSTS FOR INTERSPIRITUAL PILGRIMS.