Why “This Little Light Of Mine” Is A Terrible Song…

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.

What a terrible song we have sung over the years. I can’t believe that we teach our kids at church to embrace this song and sing these words! Let me break it down…

This little, tiny, insignificant light of mine I’m gonna let it shine

This little, tiny, infinitesimal, itsy, bitsy light of mine I’m gonna let it shine

This little, tiny, itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny, almost out light of mine I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, I just hope it might shine.

LITTLE? Why are we celebrating and declaring a LITTLE light inside of us? Why would be be excited about a LITTLE light within? This isn’t the kind of light Jesus brought! John the Baptist said that Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirt & with FIRE! Hebrews 12:29 says that, “Our God is a CONSUMING FIRE!” We can’t settle for “Campfire Christianity.” Campfire Christianity is mesmerized with a little campfire flame. But we need “Bonfire Christianity.” A Christianity that is enflamed with a fire within that burns with passion for the things of God. We are called to live brightly shining! The song should read more like this…

This huge, raging, inferno light of mine I’m gonna let it shine…

This huge, raging, blazing, inferno, bonfire light of mine I’m gonna let it shine…

This huge, raging, blazing, fiery, bonfire of hope and joy in me I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

We are called to be the light of the world! The darker it is the BRIGHTER you can shine. We need to quit talking about how dark the WORLD is and start talking about how bright GOD is. When famous evangelist John Wesley was asked why so many people came to his revival meetings he said, “I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.” Wesley burned with a passion for those that needed the hope of Jesus. And when people came to watch him speak, they were lit on fire for Christ as well! He truly was a torch in the darkness.

They did get the song right with these words though..

Won’t hide it under a bushel NO, I’m gonna let it shine…

Won’t hide it under a bushel NO, I’m gonna let it shine…

Won’t hide it under a bushel NO, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…

Fear causes us to hide our light. The fear of what others may think or say about us. The fear of looking different to those around us. I remember in high school I was fearful of stepping out and speaking up for my faith. I was afraid of what my friends would think of me. I had Christian t-shirts that I was scared to wear for fear that those around me might ask me a question I didn’t know, or I would be different. However, I finally got so sick and tired of being fearful that I started to step out and be more vocal about my faith. I didn’t think anyone would understand, but guess what…many of them started asking questions about who God was and I had an opportunity to share my faith with them. And the more I shared my faith the more bold I became.

I found out that faith and boldness are like a muscle. The more you work it and use it the bigger it gets. The bigger it gets the easier it is to use. Never let your fear of the unknown keep you from having faith in the unseen. God will use you when you let your let shine before others! He will use you in ways you never believed you could be used in! The more you shine, the brighter you get!

Matthew 5:14

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I love the next line…

Won’t let satan blow it out I’m gonna let it shine…

Won’t let satan blow it out I’m gonna let it shine…

Won’t let satan blow it out I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

The enemy will try to do everything he can to EXTINGUISH your fire. He will do everything he can to STOP DROP AND ROLL YOU. When you get LIT the enemy throws a FIT. But remember this…The BIGGER the fire is the harder it is to go out. The SMALLER the fire the easier it is to put out. We have to make sure that we are fanning the flame within us. When the enemy blows into your life one of two things will happen…

1. Your fire will go out.

2. You can use it to fan your flame.

How do you get a fire to get bigger? Blow into it and the flames will be fanned. When the enemy blows into your life use it to fan your flame to get brighter and brighter!