Your Light Matters More Than You Know: May Patterson paints a vivid picture of the firefly—tiny, unaware, yet radiant. It doesn't overthink or second-guess. It just shines. And that’s exactly what we’re called to do as believers.

You don’t have to be flashy or famous. You don’t even need to feel impactful. You just need to let the light of Christ overflow in your everyday life—through kindness, faithfulness, sacrifice, and praise. When you do, you’re fulfilling a God-given purpose that makes this dark world just a little brighter.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t have to create the light—just reflect the One who is Light

• Small acts of love and faithfulness are sparks that push back the dark

• You may never see the full effect of your light—but it still matters deeply

• When we all shine together, the result is stunning

📖 “Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:16 (TLB)

🕯️ So go ahead—shine on. The world needs your spark.

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Full Transcript Below:

Don’t Hide Your Light Today, Let It Shine!

By May Patterson

Bible Reading:
“Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” Matt. 5:16 TLB

The firefly’s only purpose (that I know of) is to shine its light in the dark. But does it know how beautiful its light is? 

No.

The firefly doesn’t know how shining its one little light produces a wondrous spark in the inky darkness. It can’t see how its light combines with the lights of its pals to make a summer night beautiful.

No, the firefly has no concept of any of these things. It simply shines. And when it does, it fulfills its God-given role.

Maybe we’re like that. 

As Christians, we also have a light to shine. It may not seem grand, or important, or impactful—and maybe, it’s not. But when you do what God calls you to do, when you take on an opportunity He places in your path, it provides light, beauty and even a bit of wonder to our dark world.

If we all let our lights shine, it would be quite a show.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

So, what does it mean to “shine your light?” Here’s a few ideas:

1. Recognize that you don’t have to produce the light, you simply have to reflect it. So, spend some time with the Lord today. Ask Him to make His face shine upon you and to fill you with His beautiful light.
2. Then go out today and shine! Simply let the Lord’s light overflow from your heart. You can do this by reflecting God’s character in all that you do.

Shine brightly today:

• By valuing your children. 
• By respecting your neighbor. 
• By helping a tired mother carry her load.
• By upholding your marriage vows.
• By being kind.
• By expressing gratitude to God and to others.
• By striving for purity in your speech and thoughts.
• By sacrificing for your family without complaining.
• By forgiving someone who has wronged you.
• By praising the Lord throughout your day.

As you reflect God’s character, you will shine out like a star against the utter darkness of the world. Shining your light brings light, beauty and love into places that desperately need it. 

The Bible says:

“. . . Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Phil. 2:14 NLT

Like the firefly, you may never realize how beautiful your light is. You may never see how it impacts others. You may never grasp how it fulfills God’s purpose. But that doesn’t matter. Simply let your light shine, today. 

And if we all do that, it will be quite a show.

Further Reading:

Daniel 12:2-4

Phil 2:14-16

1 John 1:5-7

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