This little light!

As a little girl I remember singing “this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” I think almost every little kid that went to Sunday school or vacation bible school sang that song.  As an adult I can still sing it with more meaning. Yes, it is a child’s song but it is still applicable to every adult today.

Isaiah 60:1  This scripture says: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

Matthew 5:16  “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ”

I was greatly honored to attend the “home going” service  for a young man last week.  Joel Kaylor  was the son of the Kaylor family, missionaries to Japan.  Joel’s parents,  Leo and Phyllis,  met in Japan, married and have four sons and two daughters. It was their youngest son, Joel that died and stepped into eternity . Most of the family were in Japan but flew into Portland, Oregon to honor their son and brother. Joel was in his early 40’s, married to a lovely girl and they  have  3 children. He was also pastor of a church in Osaka, Japan. Yes, the whole family, in one way or another are pastors or supporting pastors.

As I sat in the church, watching the family, the friends and then the slides put together to honor Joel, I was so touched. My heart was overwhelmed by the faithfulness of this family. Their faithfulness to follow the leading of the Lord to go to a foreign country to minister to its people.  It really started with grandparents and great grandparents years ago.

Sitting in the church listening to stories of Joel, it was heart warming. He was a balanced young man, he laughed, pulled pranks on friends, loved his family but most of all, his  love for the  Lord Jesus. His was a wonderful life lived to the fullest. He had so much energy, so much love for others, so much, oh, so much.

Then I began to question, why Lord, why take Joel, he’s so young, he is so needed in Japan, he is so vital, so full of life. His young family still need his guidance and wisdom.  But then I remember that with my whole heart, I believe that God is in control, He is in charge. Howdy used to say, “God is driving the bus, he is in charge, we are just along for the ride.”

Joel let his light shine in just the 44 short years that he was here on earth.  He did not try to hide it under a bushel basket or a rock. No, he let his light shine. He stepped out of his comfort zone and proclaimed the Lordship and the loving kindness  of Jesus.

Now I’m not saying that we all have to stand up on that rock and preach. No, all we have to do is let our light shine. At the store, talking to a teller at the bank, at the gas station, where ever you find yourself. There are so many times a day that we have the opportunity to mention the loving kindness of the Lord to people. It is amazing how the Lord will bring us to someone who really needs that good word. That loving kindness to minister to their hurts. We can tell them about the love of Christ by not preaching to them but by sharing a kindness. Think of all the places you have been in in the past week. How many times could you have showed kindness? No preaching, but showing love.

Something to think about.   Is your light shining today?

More later.