Let My Life Be A Light

Let me live blessed Lord, in the light of thy word. Let my life be a light on a hill.
Leading souls now astray to the straight narrow way. Help me do some good deed while I live.

Chorus
Let my life be a light shining out through the night. May I help struggling ones to the fold.
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and the lone. Let my life be a light to some soul.

Give me wisdom and power everyday every hour, let me drink from the fountain above.
Guide my footsteps a right through the dark stormy night. Give me peace, give me joy, give me love.

Give me souls for my hire, let my life be on fire, shining out to the world as a guide.
Help me rescue someone sinking now with no hope that in Heaven we shall ever abide.

Found on page 169 of the Redback hymnal, “Let my life be a light” was written by J.R. Varner and copy written in the 1940’s by the Tennessee Music and Printing Company from right here in Cleveland, Tennessee.  If you are not familiar with this song, here’s an acapella version as sung by one of my favorite gospel bluegrass groups – Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.

The theme of this hymn is essentially a prayer – Lord, let my life be a light.  As a Christian, each of us should desire that the light of the Gospel would shine through us.   Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 are a reminder of this truth.  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  We are called to make a difference in the world through our actions and our words – good works that glorify our Father in Heaven.

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “Help struggling ones to the fold” – This is one of those interesting phrases that in some ways may seem contradictory to Scripture.  We know that Jesus is the only one who saves.  Jesus’ sacrifice paid for our sins.  So can we, as Christians, help struggling ones to the fold?  Is there anything we can do to save somebody?  I believe the answer to that is yes and no.  If you mean, can I save someone else?  Clearly the answer is no.  There is nothing I can do to save someone from their sins.  However, if you mean, can my life and my testimony help someone to the point where they make a decision for Christ? Absolutely.  Peter preached in Acts 2 and 3,000 were saved that day.  Did Peter save them?  No.  Did Peter help struggling ones to the fold? Clearly he did.

• “Guide my Footsteps a right” – I just love old phrases like this. To me, it is a reminder that we can live life with footsteps a-right and footsteps a-wrong.  The Bible does say in Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.”  God plays an important part in guiding our footsteps.  But we also have a part to play.  Psalm 50:23 says “And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”  God guides our footsteps a-right and we can keep our footsteps a-right.

• “Let” – This is a very interesting three letter word.  In the book of Genesis, when God says “Let there be light” it was automatic – there was light.  When God says, let there be water and living creatures, guess what?  It happened immediately at the word of His command.  But “let” as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5 is not always an automatic.  Just because Jesus said “let you light shine” doesn’t mean it happens automatically.  It requires effort.  It requires obedience.  It often times requires sacrifice. 

I pray today that as followers of Christ we can begin to respond automatically to the “let” commands of Jesus.  To respond immediately, completely, and whole-heartedly.  Not to pat ourselves on the back.  Not to receive the praise of men.  But to do it because Jesus commands His followers to do so.  Let your life be a light!!