We sang a song with that title when we were in Sunday School. The words are deep in my memory vaults. ”I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine. Won’t let Satan blow it out.” And more.
The themes of light and darkness are found in the Collective Unconscious of humankind. We all struggle with darkness as it symbolizes evil, fear, confusion, hatred, death, and several other human events and emotions. At times this enemy seems to overwhelm us and bring us to our knees.
I find it fascinating and comforting that in this sun-deprived season of the year, we turn to festivals and celebrations of light to remind us that there is hope. Christmas, Hanukkah, and several others. After the New Year, Christians will observe Epiphany, to remember how the Light that began in Bethlehem gave hope to the human race, beginning with the astrologers from the East who came to pay homage to the Christ Child.
How do we overcome the shadows and the shades that are part of our existence? We look for whatever little flame we can find and we let it guide our steps into the future. Then we share it with others.
Two sayings have comforted and challenged me for decades. The first is from my mother, spoken often to me when I complained about how bad this world had become. These words came gently from her lips, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
And this one that came more recently. “There isn’t enough darkness in all the world to snuff out the light of one little candle.”
So God, please help all of us to see the radiance of Your presence and feel the warm glow of your love. And then enable us to carry our flickering flame out where the blackness is thick with violence, poverty, sickness, and pain. Our little light can indeed make a difference.