The Little Lamp in the Dark Forest
Scripture Anchor
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
— Matthew 5:14
Joppa the Ostrich and Millo the little bird were walking through a dark forest.
The trees were tall.
The shadows were deep.
The path was hard to see.
Joppa held a little lamp in her wing, but her feathers trembled.
“Millo,” Joppa whispered, “what if this little light is not enough?”
Millo fluttered closer and perched gently beside her.
“Joppa,” he said, “Jesus did not say your light had to be big. He said not to hide it.”
Joppa looked down at the lamp.
The flame was small, but it was still shining.
A cold wind moved through the trees. The branches creaked. Somewhere far away, an owl hooted.
Joppa wanted to cover the lamp. She wanted to hide behind a tree and wait until the forest felt safe.
“What if nobody sees the light?” she asked.
“What if it does not matter?”
Millo shook his little head.
“Joppa, light always matters in the dark.”
So Joppa took one careful step forward.
Then another.
The little lamp did not show the whole forest.
It did not show the entire journey.
But it showed enough for the next step.
As they walked, Joppa noticed something. The darker the forest became, the more the little lamp helped them see.
Soon, Millo began to sing softly:
“Jesus is with us.
Jesus is near.
His light will guide us.
We do not fear.”
Joppa smiled a little.
“Maybe I do not have to be brave all at once,” she said.
“No,” Millo answered. “Just brave enough to keep walking with Jesus.”
And there, in the dark forest, Joppa lifted the lamp a little higher.
Not because she felt strong.
Not because the forest was gone.
But because the Light of Jesus was still with her.
And Joppa remembered:
A small light held faithfully can still lead the way.
Sacred Pause
Take a quiet breath.
Ask Jesus:
Where have I wanted to hide my light?
What fear has made the path feel dark?
What is one small step I can take with Jesus today?
Little Prayer
Jesus,
Sometimes I feel afraid in the dark.
Sometimes I wonder if my little light matters.
Forgive me for wanting to hide what You placed in me.
Please help me, Holy Spirit.
Make me brave enough for the next step.
Keep my heart close to You.
Help me shine with kindness, courage, and love.
I do not have to see the whole path.
I only need to follow You one step at a time.
In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Today’s Gentle Reminder
Your light does not have to be big to matter.
Stay close to Jesus.
Hold up your little lamp.
Take the next step.