This Little Light of Mine Devotional - Addison Road
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. "
It all started on a Boy Scout camp out. I remember it clearly, I was nine years old and we were up late at night all sitting around the camp fire. The night had been fun so far but as we sat around people started telling dirty jokes and gross stories. Something seemed wrong to be in such a beautiful place and to be talking about those ugly things. So I quietly got up and went and found a spot by myself. We were in the middle of nowhere and it was late at night so I could see the stars shine brighter than I ever had. I laid there with my hands behind my head, staring up at the stars and talked to God. I don't remember now exactly what I prayed about but that moment has stuck with me ever since.
That was one of the things I was thinking about when I wrote, "This Little Light of Mine." I was trying to remember that childlike innocence that I had when I talked to God. That openness and sincerity that comes in simple phrases and honest words. I think there's something to that. I wrote the whole song in bed one night, I had everything done but the chorus. I kept thinking there was some children's song about shining your light but I couldn't remember what it was. The next morning I grabbed my guitar and looked on the computer and realized the song I was thinking of was the old song, "This Little Light of Mine." I put music to all the words I had written along with the chorus and the whole thing took about ten minutes.
Writing this song was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. As soon as it was done I felt like it was going to be a song that meant something to a lot of people. Flash forward a year later . . . we recorded the song and decided to get our fans involved in helping us make a music video for the song. We asked them to send clips of how they let the love of Christ shine through them. They showed their light at school, at home with their families and friends, and also taking care of the very sick. We were blown away by so many people responding and sending in video clips of the ways they shine their light.
Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." I feel like the light of Christ shines most in me in encouraging others. Reminding people that God never gives up on them, never turns away, and always offers his hope to us no matter what. I think it's shining your light, in so many different ways, that brings God's light and hope to a dark world. So go brave the dark and let your little light shine.
-Ryan Gregg
