"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Some years ago, in the State of Kansas, a blinding snow-storm was raging. The stinging winds were silently but furiously piling high the snow drifts, making the wide prairie a stretch of valleys and hills.
As the twilight grew into darkness, the blizzard steadily increased its forces until it was impossible for a wayfarer to keep a certain course. In the midst of this cold, bleak scene was a lonely little one-roomed house which had been dug out of the ground, and so was called a dugout. It was much like our outdoor cellars, the roof being about three feet from the surface of the earth. The small window at the back of the room was its only source of light. On this night a bright fire was glowing in the little stove, which sufficiently heated the small room, and in comparison with its cheerless surroundings, this little dugout bore an aspect of coziness and comfort.
A young man, George by name, was the sole occupant of this house. That very morning he had come from a town eight miles distant to ''prove up'' the claim on which it was located. Fortunately, he had furnished himself with provisions enough to keep him supplied for several days.
As this storm had been predicted, George busied himself during the early part of the day by carrying water, and by laying in fuel and such other provisions as he would need while shut in for perhaps two or three days. This done, he next stopped up the cracks and crevices which admitted the snow. This was not an easy task, for the fine, whirling flakes would insist upon entering through some opening.
Early in the afternoon a few snowflakes told of the approaching storm, and ere long the blizzard had begun in earnest. By this time George had succeeded in making himself very comfortable, and with a feeling of security he thankfully settled himself in his place of shelter.
Late in the evening George made ready to go to bed. He went to the window, where the candle was shedding its light out across the snow, and was in the act of putting it out when a low, distressed cry met his ears. With anxious interest he paused and peered out into the night, endeavoring to determine the source of the sound; but in vain. What could it be! Perhaps it was the call of a young wolf whose home was on the prairie and whose howl he had often heard during the day. But no; as he intently listened, the stillness was again broken by the same cry, which George now recognized to be the voice of a human being. Guided by George's little light, the wanderer had at last found his way to his only hope of shelter. Realizing the danger and suffering of one who was out. on such a night, George immediately answered the stranger and welcomed him into the humble but much appreciated abode.
The poor man was very numb and fatigued from the blinding, whirling snow. After putting his horse in a small shed standing near, George at once set to work making the stranger warm and comfortable, while the latter told his interesting story. He said that he, with his faithful horse, had endeavored to follow an old trail, but that as the storm became more blinding he had lost his way. He also told how his hopes for safety had been blighted just a while before. He had seen a light ahead of him, and with joy was working his way toward it as quickly as possible when, to his dismay, just as he came within calling distance, it suddenly went out, leaving him in a most fearful plight. However, he stumbled on and through the mercy of Providence finally noticed the light in George's window, which had been the means of saving him from a terrible death.
My dear young friends, we can learn a valuable lesson from this incident. We who are in the fold of the Good Shepherd, safely sheltered from the cold, sinful world, are lights to those who are still wandering outside. Our light may be small, yea, even as small as a candle; but if we diligently keep our lamp trimmed and. brightly burning, God will permit us to be the means of leading some lost one into the fold of Christ.
Under discouragement and temptation we are liable to neglect the precious light which has been committed to us. The enemy suggests to us that it matters very little, for we are so unnoticed that we will not be missed. But think of that small light out on the wide, dismal prairie seen only by the one lost man, and of the keen disappointment and bitter despair he experienced when it faded from his view. Our light may influence only one soul, but is not that one worth more to Christ than this whole world? and should it not be worth more than the world to us?
Perhaps those whom we least suspect, schoolmates, brothers, or sisters, are watching our lives with all confidence. Our faithfulness in keeping our lights shining brightly will prove to be of untold value not only to ourselves but also to those who are depending upon us.
Remember, the world is greatly in need of people, especially young people, who are lights to bring souls to Christ. Can God depend upon you? Mary Overhiser
Listener Kids "This Little Light of Mine"
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