The Light of the World

When I was a little girl I had a light, and I loved my light a lot.
I wanted to show it to everyone. I thought everyone would love it.
But, people made fun of my light; they didn't like it at all.
I didn't understand why they hated my light so much.
Soon, they started to be mean to me, and push me around trying to make me drop my light. So I would hide my light, and only let it shine when no one was around. But, it made me so happy that I would forget that others didn't like it, so I would show my light again. One day, my light was gone. I became confused and lost in the darkness. I couldn't find my way.

I wandered around for years; seeing glimpses of my light now and then but it would always fade away. Living in the darkness was overwhelming, and I was growing weak, tired, and cold. I was dying. I knew I needed to find my light again, but part of me resented the pain that my light had brought me.

As I was slowly dying, empty and alone, someone came into the darkness to find me. They had enough light for both of us to find our way. I received a new light, even better than the first! I was so excited! I was filled with life again! I couldn't hold back. I had to show others this beautiful light that filled my life with joy and warmth and peace. I began to tell people about my journey and how important the light was; how horrible the darkness had been. I was so glad to have a light again.

Sadly, though, people began to tell me to turn down my light. They didn't like the glow; it was too bright and they didn't want it shining on them. Some people resented it and hid from it. I couldn't understand why they hated my light so much. I was hurt. Could they not see the beauty of the light that I could see? How could they possibly love the darkness more? Confusion and hurt overwhelmed me once more. I didn't know what to do with my light.

I don't want to keep it to myself; I want others to enjoy it as much as I do. But, if I try to share my light with them, they resent me and rejection soon follows. So I slowly began to keep my light to myself, but that only makes me sad. It seems the more I try to keep it to myself -- the dimmer it becomes. I think I'm beginning to lose my way again, and darkness seems to be closing in...


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...

Won't hide it under anything, or let anyone blow it out
gonna shine it all over 'till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine!

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don't cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house."
-Matthew 5:14-16