Rebecca Dix ’15, Th.M. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Devotional

“This little light of mine . . .”

That shines even when the world is dark, even amidst the slow decay of the earth, crumbling under the weight of our sinfulness, all the spilled blood and shed tears.

“I’m going to let it shine . . . ,”

Even when all seems lost and hope is a simple whisper of yesterday.

“This little light of mine . . .”

May seem small and fragile, flickering anxiously against all the forces that try with all their might to snuff it out.

 “I’m going to let it shine . . . ,”

For this very light, small but burning bright, is given to me from the Light of the world, the Light to all nations, the great Healer and Redeemer.

“Oh, this little light of mine . . .”

Is the promise that God has been with us, is with us, and will be coming again—that our stories are woven together, no longer to be forsaken or destroyed, left unraveling, but to be remembered.

“I’m going to let it shine . . . ,”

For Jesus Christ has made a claim on me—and has made a claim on you. So I will carry my little light as a witness to that amazing and steadfast love.

“Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, may the light of your glory, truth and love, which remains bright and present in our darkness and in our blindness, be unveiled to and in us, the Church your Bride. Amen.

Rebecca Dix ’15, Th.M. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Devotional

“This little light of mine . . .”

That shines even when the world is dark, even amidst the slow decay of the earth, crumbling under the weight of our sinfulness, all the spilled blood and shed tears.

“I’m going to let it shine . . . ,”

Even when all seems lost and hope is a simple whisper of yesterday.

“This little light of mine . . .”

May seem small and fragile, flickering anxiously against all the forces that try with all their might to snuff it out.

 “I’m going to let it shine . . . ,”

For this very light, small but burning bright, is given to me from the Light of the world, the Light to all nations, the great Healer and Redeemer.

“Oh, this little light of mine . . .”

Is the promise that God has been with us, is with us, and will be coming again—that our stories are woven together, no longer to be forsaken or destroyed, left unraveling, but to be remembered.

“I’m going to let it shine . . . ,”

For Jesus Christ has made a claim on me—and has made a claim on you. So I will carry my little light as a witness to that amazing and steadfast love.

“Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, may the light of your glory, truth and love, which remains bright and present in our darkness and in our blindness, be unveiled to and in us, the Church your Bride. Amen.