It has been proven that one of the greatest memory devices is to set something to music. In preparing for tests, some people will try to take the information they are attempting to memorize and create a rhyme that they can sing. God created our minds as fascinating machines, and He tied our memories somehow to song. When little kids are trying to remember the order of the books of the Bible, often they will sing the song. When not-so-little “kids” are trying to remember the names of the apostles, they will often sing the song. I applaud those parents who have recordings of church hymns and children’s Bible songs that they play for their children around the house and in the car. It gets those spiritual concepts “stuck” in their heads (and in their hearts).
Think about how many Bible verses are set to songs. Glenn Colley and his family set hundreds of Bible verses to song for “little kids” to learn. Jeff Miller, from Apologetics Press, did the same thing. Think about how many “good ole VBS songs” are actually a Bible verse. What a great way for our children to learn the Word of God and to get it hidden in their hearts and written on their souls! One old classic is “This Little Light of Mine.” Think about the words of this song.
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” Jesus told His followers that this is our responsibility (Matt. 5:14-16). We are to be a “light” in a world of darkness (Eph. 5:8), and of course, our “little” light is merely reflecting the true “light of the world,” who is Christ Himself (John 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:46). Our responsibility, as Jesus commanded, is not to “shine our lights” but to “let it shine.” Living right in a world so wrong just becomes part of who we are on a daily basis.
“All around the neighborhood, I’m gonna let it shine!” It is easy to “let it shine” on Sundays, when around other lights, but that is not where the benefit of the light is so desperately needed. I need to “let it shine” all around my workplace, my school, my neighborhood, my social organizations, my family, etc. Everywhere “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,” our “lights” must shine (Phil. 2:15).
“Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!” Jesus said to not “put it under a basket, but on a lampstand” for the benefit of all (Matt. 5:15). I must not be ashamed of my light for Christ (2 Tim. 1:12)! I must not mis-prioritize my life so that my light does not shine (Matt. 6:33). I must live, so that all can see the light and glorify God (5:16)!
“Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m gonna let it shine!” “Resist the devil” (Jas. 4:7). “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). The “roaring lion” wants to blow your light for Christ out (1 Pet. 5:8). Don’t let him!