Let it shine

Summertime traditionally brings opportunities for congregations to do children's ministry with intentionality. Vacation Bible Schools, Day Camps, camping trips, special Sunday school classes, kids' clubs and other activities focus in fresh ways on the spiritual nurture of youngsters. Today the music kids enjoy in these activities is much different from what I recall from my growing up years. So many of the little praise choruses I learned then are not as familiar to the current generation. There was a song we often sang called, "This Little Light of Mine," based loosely on Christ's counsel to his followers: "Let your light so shine before people, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." [Matthew 5:16]

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!

Hide it under a bushel, No! I'm gonna let it shine! And so on.

I still like that song, partly because it serves to remind me of the responsibility I have as a witness for Christ. Whatever light is mine to shine, I realize, comes only from the Light of the world, Jesus. But that's the light that is to be shared. Kids may not sing this song much any more, but some of us older kids might want to think about not hiding our light under that bushel.