Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Epiphany: How Far Does Your Little Light Shine?

12/27/2004
By: Holy Trinity Lutheran

“And God said ‘Let there be light.”’ Genesis 1:3. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12 and 9:5. He also admonished us to let our own light shine so that God might be glorified: Matthew 5:16. Paul says we should live as “children of light,” Eph. 5:8 for Christ, our true Light has claimed us as his own. And who of us has not at some time learned and recited some of these Bible verses or sung the happy song, “This Little Light of Mine”? Perhaps some of us even remember singing “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam — to shine for Him each day…”

Universally, humankind has referred to light and darkness in basic terms of safety and fear, love and hatred, liberty and oppression. Our loving God who knows us each, knows everything about us, and loves us with a steadfast love, knew that only Salvation’s Light could save us from ourselves for God’s kingdom of light and love. And so, God not only gave us light but became our Light — and charged us to be stewards of it, for it cannot be a static thing.

Our stewardship of that Light begins with our own life, and extends to the family we share that life with, at home, at school, at work, at worship, or at play. But we dare not let it be limited to these spheres which, after all, provide a certain amount of security and love for ourselves. Christ has commanded us to go “into all the world” to share His love and to care for God’s human family and the creation of Gods hands.

Soon we will be discussing and voting on our budget for ministries in 2005. We know about the needs “at home” here at Holy Trinity. They are many, important, and good. But, as we look at our needs — and at our abundance — we must be conscious of taking Christ’s command seriously. just as he was the healer and welcomer of the outcast, the speaker for those whose voice was never heard, the giver of bread and the Bread itself, it is incumbent upon us as individuals and as a congregation to consciously choose to be his presence in the world, bearers of his loving Light.

Let us make sure that our budget expenses for the year 2005, reflect the outpouring of Christ’s love for all in the amount we set aside to send to our Synod, for the church nationally and worldwide, for this is our major instrument in going “into all the world” in our Savior’s name. This is a major part of what moves us beyond our serving of only our own needs as a congregation.

“And there will be no more night; they will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light…” Rev. 22:5 is the final promise that we shall never be in darkness again. In thankful response to this promise, “let [our own] light shine, let it shine, let it shine!” Working with you in the Vineyard.

Stewardship Ministries. — IlaJean Kragthorpe

One Response to “Epiphany: How Far Does Your Little Light Shine?”

1. Anonymous Says:
   January 17th, 2005 at 9:25 pm

   Got here and seen your stuff – way to go!