Skip to main content

"This Little Light Of Mine" by Tyler Ratcliffe: Shining Bright for Eternal Glory


What if you could turn one of the most popular Sunday school songs into a high-energy folk anthem? A song that you might hear at a concert instead of in a classroom. That was the challenge Tyler Ratcliffe made up for himself, and "This Little Light Of Mine" is the result. But what began as a simple challenge quickly evolved into a personal anthem. 

Tyler Ratcliffe - This Little Light Of MineTyler discovered that letting your light shine isn't just a cute children's lyric; it's one of the hardest and most courageous things to do… and most people don't do it. So here's a song to encourage you to make a change. 

Instead of only looking forward to heaven, the song calls us into the here and now. In other words, while we long for the "city" with "golden streets," our mission is to refuse to hide who you are, refuse to shrink your faith, and choose to stand out in a world that often wants you to blend in. This isn't just a small flicker; it's a "Holy Spirit blaze!" It's a commitment to be authentic everywhere, from "the back roads and the highways" to our own hometowns. 

May this song be an empowering reminder of your unique potential. Are you ready to stop blending in and stand out and let your own light shine brightly?

(Related scripture: Matthew 5:16; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; Philippians 2:15)

Background:

This song actually started as a writing challenge that I made up for myself. I wondered what it would sound like to take one of the most popular Sunday school songs ever written and turn it into a high energy folk anthem. Something raw and honest. Something you might hear at a concert instead of in a classroom.

But very quickly as I dove into it, it stopped feeling like a challenge and started feeling like a personal anthem. The older I get, the more I have come to realize that letting your light shine isn’t a cute children's lyric. It’s actually one of the hardest things to do and most people don’t do it. It means refusing to hide who you are, refusing to shrink your faith, and choosing to stand out in a world that often wants you to blend in.

So what began as a simple experiment became a reminder to myself. On the back roads, the highways, to my friends, anywhere He sends me, I’m gonna let it shine.

Release date: March 13, 2026

Connect with Tyler Ratcliffe

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

Tags:

Popular posts

How To Build A Larger Audience/Fanbase For Your Christian Music - Part 1

Are you a Christian music artist? Do you want to build a larger audience for your music? In this 5 part series, we will explain our music marketing strategy for exponentially expanding your fanbase. Today, in part 1, we focus on the foundation needed to build a larger audience/fanbase, where to focus, and your place in a bigger picture. Next week, in part 2, we will focus on your online hub, ways to attract more visitors to your online hub, and being more than a musician.   Why do some Christian artists have millions of monthly streams on the streaming platforms, while other great artists struggle to get more than a few thousand monthly streams? Many Christian Artists struggle to reach new listeners. Marketing music was never easy, but quite a few artists (and even agents/distributors) are not using all of the possibilities that are already available. What saddens me is that many Christian artists only scratch the surface of their music marketing possibilities. DIY-platforms, such...
More >>

'Lonely Dirt Road' by Dax: A Journey to Solitude and God

Dax's 'Lonely Dirt Road' is a conversation that Dax has with himself and God. Dax shares his journey of turning mental health walks into healing solitary drives. As you listen, you can almost feel the cruise, where it's just you, your thoughts, and God.  The chorus is so relatable: 'When I need space, that's where I go, a place to escape that nobody knows.' What do you do when life's pressures stack high? Do you also have a space where you can let go? That lonely dirt road that Dax sings about symbolizes solitude, but it is also an incredible opportunity for connecting with God.  Dax's honesty is raw and relatable. 'I didn't want my family to see me cry… dealing with the pressure of trying to provide.' There are times when we all put on a smile to hide how challenging situations may be. Like his father, Dax says that he finds peace on this lonely road, where challenges become opportunities to grow. This shows the core of our faith: that...
More >>

Ryan Stevenson - Carry Me (CCM)

Ryan Stevenson’s song ‘Carry Me’ is a powerful and emotive plea for help and guidance, and a reminder of the transformative power of faith. The lyrics are deeply personal and relatable, touching on themes of weariness, loneliness, and uncertainty. The song is a testament to the power of prayer and the strength we can find when we surrender our burdens to God. Stevenson’s own story of finding his way to a deeper understanding of grace and God’s love gives the song even more resonance. The honesty and vulnerability with which he shares his struggles and doubts will resonate with anyone who has faced similar challenges in their own life. The music itself is a beautiful and stirring blend of keyboard, guitar, and electronic elements, creating a haunting and atmospheric sound that perfectly complements the lyrics. The chorus is particularly powerful, with Stevenson’s voice rising to a crescendo as he cries out for help and support. If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, or simply need a rem...
More >>