The One Candle

by Freida Harrison

02172013_01aThe atmosphere beckoned for something to chase away the chill and provide a cozy feeling that was lacking. A fire in the fireplace would make the room too warm, but candlelight would be the perfect solution for that cool, rainy winter evening. I located my favorite bronze tea-light holder, placed it on the hearth, and lit the eight small candles. The beautiful glow from those tiny lights quickly removed the darkness in the corners of my heart filling me with warmth and joy.

As I watched them shimmer, I began to compare those lights to our life as Christians. Even though the candles were small, together they emitted more light than I expected. Watching them, I thought of how much radiance eight Christians burning together for Jesus could produce for the world to see. With the glow of Christ filling each believer, much light could shine in this dark world and many people would see Jesus and believe. I closed my eyes and imagined the entire earth filled with believers sparkling with the light of Jesus, resembling a galaxy of stars on a clear, dark night.

02172013_02aAfter many hours of enjoying the candlelight, I noticed that one by one the candles began to burn out. It was late at night, and I turned off all the electric lights to see the amount of brightness coming from the candles only. With fewer candles burning, the light was diminishing, however, there was still quite a bit of glow from the four, then three remaining candles. Within moments, there was only one candle burning to push away the darkness in the room. I was amazed at the amount of light coming from that one tiny tea-light.

The one remaining candle burned fervently for a long time. Then the instant it went out, the room was engulfed in total darkness. What a difference one small light can make! What a difference one Christian reflecting the light of Jesus can make.

02172013_03a

Heavenly Father, I love you. I thank you for Jesus — the  light of the world. Please remind me every day to let His light shine through me and make a difference in this world. Grant me opportunities to team with other Christians to broaden the glow for others to see You and believe. Help each of us realize that we are the one candle that can make a difference every single day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ” I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NIV84

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV84

Copyright © 2013, Freida Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Bible scripture taken from New International Version 84.