https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20260209ECME.mp3

[Jesus said:] “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Matthew 4:13,14

Many may remember the song from childhood Sunday School and VBS. It goes like this, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, NO!, I’m gonna let it shine. Don’t let Satan *blow* it out, I’m gonna let it shine.”

Be honest. Did a Sunday School memory come roaring back and make you sing along?

A couple years ago, there was a video version of the song “This Little Light of Mine” which was circulating the early childhood world for a while. This version was by Listener Kids, and the video starts with a very catchy tune and one lightbulb walking down the road singing, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”

Finally, more light bulbs are walking down their street, singing their song and letting their light shine for the whole neighborhood to see: “All around the world, I’ll jump off the ground and shout. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

I love the concrete illustration of that video for kids. If we let our light shine and share our faith, other people’s faith is also strengthened, and others also want to tell the world about the light of Jesus! We share the best news with the world: Jesus loves you, and Jesus saves you. This is the best news we want to proclaim to all the ends of the earth because it enlightens a world darkened by sin.

Have you heard the term, “childlike faith”?

“Childlike faith” refers to how children believe and live their faith. Children hear the gospel, believe it, and tell everyone. They don’t try to make it make sense, and they don’t need it proved to them. They simply believe because they trust the person who told them. For this reason, kids can be the best evangelists.

The Christian songs that you lead with your children at school become the songs the kids automatically sing at home. The prayers that you lead before snack time and lunch become their dinner prayers at home, too. Kids will tell anyone and everyone the Jesus loves them. What a blessing that they let their light shine!

The world can look dark and daunting. Kids remind us to go back to the basics and to be the light Christ has called us to be.

Jesus loves me; this I know. I am a light, and I’m going to let it shine.

Dear Jesus,

Has there been a moment this week that you have seen a child have “childlike faith”? Can you think of a way in the next week that you can let your light shine?