He also said to them: “A lamp is not brought out to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought out to be put on a lampstand?” Mark 4:21 (NWT)
The first and easiest interpretation to place upon this text is that we should let our light shine for the Lord. While being a highly worthy cause and a true statement, to stand on that alone may just rob us of any further instruction.
Jesus constantly urged us through His teachings to never sell God out short. His ways were always infinitely higher and the best we could do was to look up in awe, wonder and worship. He wanted us to see that God was good and set a burning desire within our hearts merely to draw closer all the time to that awesome Presence.
The problem occurs that we are human beings and live in a created environment. What we learn of even spiritual things is limited to words that define things using things that we can relate to or see. God´s heavenly kingdom is not under the sun and does not fall under the laws which govern our planet nor our solar system. Therefore it is difficult to find earthly words which could describe this higher realm and kingdom. Yet Jesus came in flesh, to become the Word for us and to help us understand. And He goes on to say, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.” (v.23)
Now it is a great thing to let your light shine for the Lord so that others may come to believe on Him, but there is a great ocean to cross before this becomes the urgent call. There are so many wonderful discoveries into the mysteries of God and His kingdom, and the journey of a soul from serving itself to honestly bowing to God, is a serious and necessary process. In our modern cyber-speeded age, we tend to hurry on to what we would take to be the natural conclusion. Therefore we would run out to convert souls the minute after our own has taken its first baby step.
As placing a lighted candle under a bed or a basket could have disastrous consequences, this jumping ahead to shine for the Lord might not be the most beneficial interpretation for us in this moment. Far more rewarding to God would be souls burning to seek further light and filling, than more voices preaching of things they have not yet experienced.
Jesus goes on to tell us in verses 22-25 to say that spiritual things are lying there waiting for our discovery. Truths not yet realized by us about Himself and His kingdom may still be uncovered by those willing to open their hearts in honest seeking. Wouldn´t it be wonderful to press forward in Him and let our souls be enlightened beyond our best imaginings? “Pay attention to what you are hearing.” He goes on to say. And, “Whoever has, more will be given unto him.” (Vs 24-25)
Dear Lord, as much as our hearts desire to shine for You, we realize how little we understand about the mysteries of You and Your kingdom. You have promised to reveal those mysteries unto those who have shone the proper interest. We would not like to ever settle for the comfortable, nor first interpretation and therefore limit our understanding of You. Closer to You is what we pray for and to get there we must learn more from You each day. Take our souls on a journey of enlightenment which will astound us as more and more light is shone on You. And let no other man tell us what those discoveries of You are, we would learn them first hand from You alone.
Amen
Searching For Christ 
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