As we were in the midst of selling our home a few years ago, decisions had to be made as to which items to pack up or discard in order to downsize to our next home. This included many large items but also the little stuff. Drawers that were filled with random items that had long been forgotten were now under serious scrutiny to decide what was kept and what wasn’t. Once such drawer was filled with all my candles that were used for decorating throughout the years, especially during special occasions and holidays. Most of them had never been lit. Believe me, I have gotten scolded over the years by my fellow candle lovers for not igniting my candles to enjoy the warm glow and atmosphere that they create.
For some reason, as I think about this now, there’s this fear that if I light my candles, eventually the wax will be gone, used up, and the flame will die. Is that wrong to just be content to admire my unlit wicks? Perhaps, wondering further, maybe we do this with our own lives. Are we afraid to light the match that dwells inside of us, thereby igniting the flame of God’s love? It sure is easier to leave our candle sitting on the counter, taking no risk or worrying “what if the flame goes out?” The sad part is we are not allowing that candle to reach its full potential. That single candle will only serve as a mere decoration and nothing else; and we’ll never get to witness its full potential and beauty that God has prepared. We forget that its light has the power to change the darkness around us.
Yes, that candle represents you and me. Jesus doesn’t want us to just sit on a “shelf” or adorn our table. Jesus created us to be ignited from the inside to do His good works. Our wicks should be burning with the flames of love that maybe have, at times, been extinguished for various reasons – loss, illness, anger, resentment. But that is not what He desires for us.
We should never fear that our ignited flame will ever go out as we keep in step with our Lord. So, maybe it’s time to stop being complacent, pull out our box of matches (even though at times we may feel some heat) and expel the darkness. By igniting our own candle with the fire of the Holy Spirit, suddenly our light shines for all the world to see. I, myself, have a whole new enthusiasm for lighting my real candles. Maybe I’ll recognize more fully what it represents when I ignite each one, enjoy the comforting glow they put off. I will keep my candles burning both in my home and from within for Jesus. How about you? Think about lighting just one candle and spend some contemplative time thinking of how your relationship with Jesus can be ignited.
Jesus, I pray that you’ll light the flame within me and always keep it burning with the fruits of your spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Only you can ignite my flame and keep it burning forever. Amen
“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6
