Do you remember growing up singing “This Little Light of Mine?”
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!
Those Sunday school songs are so great not only because of their deep but simple messages but also because most of them come with hand motions. I proudly lifted my finger high up in the air the whole way through this song. I wanted my light (or finger in this case) to be visible for all to see.
Source: Pinterest
I started 2015 by looking for a one word goal that might give overall definition to the year ahead. That word for me is LIGHT.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:16). To be a constant glowing REFLECTION of our Savior that pierces through the dark world and shines bright for all to see.
As a young girl growing up singing Sunday school songs, my heart was filled with His light and I was eager to share it with others. But I will admit that over the years, my courage to share with others this never ending source of light has faded a bit. I find that I have become more concerned with offending others than just allowing Christ to give me the words, to follow His direction.
Not long ago, I was lingering in a waiting room with friends and family of my dear friend, Traci, who was in the operating room being treated for breast cancer. Traci was certainly a LIGHT in that hospital allowing her faith and trust to shine for every doctor, nurse, and attendant to see. The surgery was a true success and she is now cancer free. I will never forget the feeling of complete thankfulness for Christ’s healing power. But when I think back on that day, I am reminded of something else. The Lord provided an opportunity for me to be a light for Him, and I almost missed it.
I was just one of many people on hand that day at the hospital to support Traci and her family. In fact, the group was so large that we were given our own separate room away from the main waiting room area. But at one point, I ventured out to the main area with a friend. We were checking on the status of Traci to see if the computerized board would reveal that she was in recovery yet or not. I couldn’t figure out exactly what the codes meant until a gentlemen behind us explained what the letters stood for. He wanted to visit. He was all alone. His wife was in day one of a two day surgery. The love of his life was fighting for her life, and there was no one around to provide encouragement, to give him a hug, or even just listen. I knew the Lord wanted me to offer to pray with him. I knew it in my heart from the moment he spoke to me. The feeling was overwhelming. And yet, I didn’t ask.
That opportunity would have been lost if not for my friend. She felt the Lord leading too. She asked him if we could pray with him. He said yes, and the three of us prayed together that day in that waiting room asking the Lord to heal his wife and to strengthen this man’s heart and give him peace. Just as we finished, he received a phone call from his pastor and a friend walked in to sit with him. He thanked us and we went on our way.
I’m not so sure that we were as big of a blessing to him that day as this experience was to me. When I feel the Lord leading me to share, to pray, to care for someone in need, this experience will forever remind me to be obedient. It is not about me, my fears, my inhibitions, or even about my understanding of the situation, it is about being obedient to the King of my heart and allowing Him to direct my path.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
I don’t want to regret any more lost opportunities. I’m so grateful that Christ can use each of us to be part of His plan to share with a lost and hurting world. He’ll provide the words, the strength, the courage. All He asks is for a willing heart.
My prayer is that we set aside anything that is keeping us from being obedient to Christ’s call and that our hearts are open to the opportunities He provides for us to be a LIGHT that is visible for all to see.
