Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:14 – 16 (New Living Translation)

“This Little Light of Mine” is a timeless children’s favorite. The song has several familiar verses reminding us about the importance of letting our light shine. It is a vital message for the young and the old in today’s dark world. Just imagine if everyone were committed to being a light in their homes, work and relationships. What if we used our words to build people up, being a positive influence and eliminated complaining? Just as natural sunlight penetrates the darkness of night when the sunrises, it would transform the world we know.

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.