Light Shine Bright: A Devotional Study on Light

STORY: Nightlight Bright

Ever wonder why you even exist? I know, when the chips are down, and I’m on my hundredth mistake of the day, I ask God how in the world he thinks he can use little ol’ me. Normally I don’t struggle with low self-esteem and purpose because God fuels my drive with vision and passion. But there are still times, when my humanity shows the most that I have to scratch my head and wonder how God is going to get the glory from certain situations.

But then a lightbulb came on, literally. Not in the daytime when I’m mentally coherent, but in the middle of the night when I stumbled to the bathroom. We have a nightlight to illuminate our midnight path. As my eyes acclimated to the dark, the light became brighter. And as I looked directly into the nightlight, I was almost blinded by the brightness. It was then that I realized just how bright a tiny nightlight can be when a person needs it most, in the darkest part of the night. In the daytime, when the nightlight is on, its little beam is barely noticeable.

What makes the difference? The need—darkness. The purpose—illuminate the path. The design—one small light to allow the sleeping to slumber and the awake to seek and see the way.

This might seem very simple, but it assured me that God has made no mistake in creating me. I just need to let his light shine. He will find the places where there are needs for the light, and he will design a purpose that best glorifies him.

I need to make sure to let his light shine, not my light. The song says, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” but it really is the light of Jesus that radiates from believers, when they are not stifling the Holy Spirit with selfish ambitions. And when Christians beam his light, those who are seeking answers will see the way. The Way.

I’m content to be a nightlight. To those in need, it’s as powerful as a lighthouse or a searchlight.

“This little light of God’s, I’m gonna let it shine!”

STUDY: What Light is Shining?

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.” (Isaiah 60:1-3 NLT)

• This message was for Jerusalem, but it is the same for today, “Let your light shine for all to see.” The key is to know where your light comes from. Then make sure what you shine out is from that source and not from self.
• The sentence, “For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you” sounds a lot like a beautiful sunrise. How does God’s glory rise? And how does it shine on you?
• The rest of the message in this passage is about a certain time in history, but is there a way that God’s radiance can cause someone to be drawn to God’s light?

Parable of the Lamp
“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. (Luke 8:16-17 NLT)

“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. (Luke 11:33-35 NLT)

• This parable makes me think of the children’s song I mentioned in my story. When are you tempted to hide the light?
• Where do you allow this light to shine bright?
• What is the purpose of light?
• How does light make you healthy?

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

• Jesus is the light of the world—how is he the light of ______ (your name goes in the blank)?
• How does Jesus say we won’t have to walk in darkness?
• What does the light lead to? If your life is not abundant, how might more light help?

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. (Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT)

• What does the contrast of darkness and light mean to you personally? How were you once in darkness? How are you now in the light?
• How can you live as “people of light”?
• What does the light produce in you?

STEPS: Light Up Their Lives

1. Uncover the light. Find where it has dimmed or darkened, and let it shine bright in your life so that it might benefit others and glorify God.
2. Draw closer to the light. Just like moths are drawn to a porch light at night, we can draw closer to the light.
3. Enjoy the fruit of light. Whatever is good and right and true not only benefits us but is part of our purpose as we serve God and others.

Copyright © 2021 Kathy Carlton Willis, used with permission.