This Little Light of Mine

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." (John 17:15-18)

Do you ever feel like you don't belong? Sure, we've all had that awkward and embarrassing moment when we're not picked for a team or not chosen by the cool kids. But what about feeling like you don't even belong in the world? That being faithful to God goes beyond getting questioned for the way you behave, to the point of getting discouraged people don't see things the way you do? That besides having your Christian circle of friends and family, you feel like you're it?

That may sound pretty extreme. But I know that when I'm on fire for God, the rest of the world seems stupid and I just want out. I'd just as soon be up in heaven with God, away from the falsehoods, the sin, the ignorance and stubbornness, and selfishly - away from the annoyances and temptations.

But God has a different plan... He knows I'm not of the world, and in fact, he continues to sanctify me (make me more and more holy - like Him) so that I can know his truth better. I'll thereby be less and less of the world (and perhaps more discouraged by it). And yet He has me here for an even greater reason and purpose.

You would think that with how evil the world is, how it continues to grow in evil and against God (i.e. think about the history of America and Christianity)... that God would protect me by taking me away from it so that I don't fall away, right? Wrong. He has faith in me, He is protecting me, and He will always be with me. Jesus even prayed on my behalf that God would protect me from the evil one. And when I am continually sanctified and in communion with Him, that is bound to happen.

I'm not of this world, and that's ok. Jesus wasn't either! But while I'm still here, I should learn from His lesson and command... I'm "sent out into the world." God wants me to be a "light on a hill." Rather than cowering away in a corner to be protected from evil, I'm supposed to go out in it, and share the Truth.

But it's strange. For how much I can be on fire for God and frustrated with the sin and people around me, I still find it difficult to share and be that light. When I'm outside of my protected circles - say bible study, church, Christian friends, or even my blog that I've identified as my Christian voice - I try to blend in. God has given me a voice, His power, His word, courage, a platform. It's time for me to use it, not second guess and be scared of posting or saying something Christ-like for fear of not belonging!

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"

Just as light from a candle, bulb, or the sun can't be hidden even by a blanket or the clouds... so, too, the joy and light I have in Christ cannot and should not be hidden! It should be a beautiful, natural radiance that shines light into the darkened world. And I'm called, chosen, even commanded to share this precious light and truth with others so they, too, can be a light!

I think Matthew says it best in Chapter 5: "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." I may not feel like I belong, but that's ok... because I have a precious light, I'm going to walk by faith and let it shine!