New Year. New Beginnings.

No one, after lighting a lamp, hides it under a jar, or put it under a bed, but puts it on a lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away. (Luke 8:16-18)

This passage begins with an obvious truth, a truth, so obvious that it almost seems ridiculous. No one, Jesus says, lights a lamp and then puts it under a jar or hides it away. The purpose of the lamp is to bring light to whatever is around it. Why would Jesus deliver up such a mundane thought?

Because, I think, that’s what we do almost every day of our lives. We have a light that God gives us. We know what it means to shine God’s love and compassion and grace, so that others may see it. Yet because of our mood, because of our circumstances, or maybe just because we feel like this is how we have to face the world, we hide our light away. We put on a different face to the world, and that face does not shine with the love of God.

We justify this by saying, "Well, that’s what we have to do to survive." But Jesus in this passage tells us something very different. By hiding our light, ultimately, we will not survive.

When I hear this passage, I am reminded of the song that we sang in church when I was a child. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.“ The second verse of that song is, “Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.“ We should make that our prayer today that everywhere we go. God’s light will shine in us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, give us the ability to let your light shine in ourselves, and our lives, so that others may see your love in your grace. Amen.

This devotional was written by Jim Stovall and read by Leslie Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.