This Little Light of Mine

            Jesus told His followers that they were lights that shone before men. People in dark places have always been in need, and the Church – the body of Christ – has been a light through the centuries. Although bad things have been done in the name of Christ, there is a great deal of evidence that Christ’s followers have shined their lights in ways that have changed the world. Paul Copan in his book Is God a Moral Monster? reminds his readers of the following areas of impact: as Christian faith spread after the fall of Rome, the practice of slavery dwindled. Later many Christians advocated its abolition. Christians led reforms to outlaw infanticide in the fourth century. Christian activists condemned and influenced the elimination of gladiatorial games. Christians have built many hospitals and hospices around the world to care for the sick and dying. Christians have always valued higher education, establishing some of the great universities in Europe and America (The Sorbonne, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton) where pastors and missionaries were trained. Christians have produced great works of literature and philosophy – Augustine, Dante, Milton, Aquinas, Pascal, Tolkien, and so many more. Christians have produced some of the world’s greatest works of art, sculpture, and architecture. Christians established modern science, which was rooted in a biblical worldview that assumes an orderly and predictable universe.  Many early scientists were also devout believers, as are some today. Christians composed some of the world’s greatest music: Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Hayden, and others. Christians have advocated for human rights and have actively shown concern for the poor and for the dignity of life and human worth. These are just some of the examples. In many places… in many other ways (some known and countless unknown to us)… Christ’s followers have been a light on a hill, shining into the world’s dark places.

            A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that the average inner-city church contributed $476,663.24 to the local economy that year. One church – First Baptist Church in Philadelphia – contributed over $6 million (more than ten times its annual budget. How? Community volunteer hours were worth $94,770. The impact on the neighborhood crime rate was worth $64,416. People were helped to get off drugs and alcohol to an extent worth $78,750. Building enhancements contributing to local employment were worth about $60,000. Help given to gain employment was worth $725,000. Efforts to help prevent suicide were worth $58,800, and others to prevent divorce worth $22,500. A school education provided local children was worth $3,489,926.

            While some may want to question such figures (they were produced by a University of Pennsylvania professor who consider himself nonreligious), the fact remains that that church is a light in a place where darkness seeks to assert itself. And that is what Jesus calls His followers to be and to do. In 2001 New York Times editorialist Nicholas Kristof wrote a column (7/30/11) praising the work of many evangelical Christians. While he noted that there was plenty of evidence of hypocrisy in the Church, he continued with these words:

“But in reporting on poverty, disease and oppression, I've seen so many others. Evangelicals are disproportionately likely to donate 10 percent of their incomes to charities, mostly church-related. More important, go to the front lines, at home or abroad, in the battles against hunger, malaria, prison rape, obstetric fistula, human trafficking or genocide, and some of the bravest people you meet are evangelical Christians (or conservative Catholics, similar in many ways) who truly live their faith. I'm not particularly religious myself, but I stand in awe of those I've seen risking their lives in this way—and it sickens me to see that faith mocked at New York cocktail parties.”

What a wonderful thing it is to be able to be like Christ and to be used by Christ to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s what a “light” does. By His grace and in His power that is what we are. In what dark place might God lead you to shine today in such a way that He ends up being glorified?

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) ¹⁴  "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

PRAYER:  Father, your Spirit fills me so that others might see Christ in me. Give me grace to put your glory on display in my life. The light you have caused to shine in me and through me is awesome to behold and to be the carrier of. What grace is given to me that my flesh could bear such glory! Thank you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott