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Poetry · Chapter

Let Your Light So Shine explained

The speaker laments the inconsistency of his inner light, which sometimes shines brightly like a lighthouse but often remains dim and damp.

What happens

The speaker laments the inconsistency of his inner light, which sometimes shines brightly like a lighthouse but often remains dim and damp. He expresses a desire to be content as a flower rooted in God, yet pleads for his lamp to shine so that others may see and recognize the divine source.

Themes in this chapter

  • Spiritual Struggle and Doubt

    The speaker's light flickers and fails, causing a sense of inadequacy and a plea for divine help.

  • Redemption and Grace

    The speaker seeks to be a vessel for God's light, hoping to shine for the sake of others and ultimately point to the divine.

Characters to notice

  • God

    Addressed as 'O Lord' and 'the shining God'; the source of the inner light and the one who kindles the lamp.

  • Unknown

    The speaker who describes his own spiritual struggle and plea for his light to shine.

Key passages

  • “Sometimes, O Lord, thou lightest in my head A lamp that well might pharos all the lands; Anon the light will neither rise nor spread: Shrouded in danger gray the beacon stands!”

    At times, God, you ignite a light in my mind so bright it could guide the whole world; but then it fails to shine, and the beacon stands hidden in gray danger.

    The speaker describes the inconsistency of his spiritual illumination.

  • “For me it were enough to be a flower Knowing its root in thee, the Living, hid, Ordained to blossom at the appointed hour, And wake or sleep as thou, my Nature, bid;”

    I would be content to be like a flower, aware that its root is in you, the Living God, destined to bloom in your time and to rest or rise as you command.

    The speaker expresses humble submission to God's will.

  • “But hear my brethren in their darkling fright! Hearten my lamp that it may shine abroad Then will they cry⁠—Lo, there is something bright! Who kindled it if not the shining God?”

    But listen to my brothers who are afraid in the darkness! Strengthen my lamp so it shines widely; then they will exclaim, 'Look, there is something bright! Who lit it if not the radiant God?'

    The speaker prays for his light to be a witness to others, leading them to recognize God.

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