I have this little app on my phone that comes in very handy from time to time. You probably have it on your phone too. It’s known as the Flashlight app. Its function is very simple — when I touch the icon, a bright light on my phone illuminates and can serve as a flashlight. 

I often stay up way too late, working on my computer (as I’m doing tonight, writing this blog). When I’m finally ready to go to bed, in order to navigate my way around the bedroom without disturbing my wife, I’ll touch the icon on my phone and — This little app of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

Years ago, with older phone models, I hardly ever used the Flashlight app because it was too hard to find it. I had to go through multiple menus to get to the app. Now, the icon is right on the home screen, so it’s easy to start the app. Hide it under a menu? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

There’s one thing that would prevent me from being able to use the app — if the battery on the phone is not charged. So, I make it a daily routine to charge the phone completely so the light can be used at all times. I don’t let a dead battery put it out — I’m gonna let it shine!

Jesus has His own flashlight app — it’s His body of believers (you and me). However, instead of just lighting up a bedroom, we are intended to light up the entire world. As Jesus told His followers during the Sermon on the Mount:

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

OK, wait a minute. How is it possible that we can be the light of the world?

Well, think about how the phone became a light. It used to be that the phone was just for making phone calls. But, by adding a light bulb and programming some instructions (an app), the phone becomes a flashlight.

When we gave our lives to Christ, He came to dwell with us. Jesus is the light bulb that was added to us — He is the true light of the world (John 8:12). And, the Holy Ghost (that we received after baptism and laying on of hands) provides the instructions to allow us to live a Christ-like life, representing Him in this world and thereby serving as the light of the world.

When does our light get turned on? Well, the light of Christ should actually be shining brightly from us at all times. However, just as the flashlight app is most useful in the dark, the light within us is especially needed in the darkness of the world. Sadly, the world is getting darker and darker with each passing day, and the flashlights are getting fewer and fewer, so it’s more important than ever that we do our part to be the light of the world.

Recognize the value you have as the light of the world. You know the way to salvation. You have access to the power of God. You know how to live a blessed life. Just as people in darkness will follow the person with the flashlight, people who are seeking their way out of the darkness of the world will be willing to follow you — if you let the light of Christ shine from you. Don’t hide it — let people see your light or else it’s not doing anybody any good.

And, how do we keep our light shining brightly at all times? By keeping our spiritual battery charged. Daily prayer. Daily scripture reading. Daily direction by the Holy Ghost. Regular attendance at church services. If we want to be in a position to be used by God as a light to the world, then let’s make sure we have a regular routine that keeps our spiritual battery fully charged.

So, when God reaches for His cell phone to interact with the world, which app do you want to be? The app that’s hidden away? The app that’s burned out and no longer usable? Or the one that God touches and says, “This little app of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”?

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.