May Your light shine among man

Here is a poem praying for God's light to shine through humanity, interwoven with the scripture that inspires it.

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Let It Shine

Not in the blinding sun, or star's keen fire, But in the gentle grace of one who gives; Not in a distant,unapproachable spire, But in the love with which a neighbor lives.

Lord, may Your light shine among men, Let it break through our veil of night, A dawn that heals and makes us whole again, And turns our darkness into sight.

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14) Let us not hide this flame,this gracious spark, But set it on a stand for all to see— A beacon in the gathering dark, A guide to what is good and true and free.

May it shine in the hand that offers bread, In the quiet word that comforts fear and loss, In the shelter given,the kindness said, In the loving bearing of another's cross.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) For it is not our own,this borrowed rays, But reflected glory,mercy's golden gleam. A glimpse of hope in all our clouded days, A waking from the selfish,lonely dream.

So let it shine, until all faces turn To see the Source,the everlasting Dawn. Until cold hearts within us learn to burn, And all the shadows of this world are gone.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)

Shine through us, Lord. Amen.