The wind blew out my match as I was lighting a citronella candle to ward off the mosquitoes. I relit the used match by putting it in a flame of another already lit candle. Again the wind blew it out. Again I relit it. Again the wind blew it out. Now there was no longer enough match left to try again so I started fresh with a new match. Afterwards I wondered why I had been so frugal with that first match. Matches are so inexpensive you can often get them free. Could it be I just don’t want to admit defeat?
I have often wondered how often God tries to use us to light up the world. Does He send the Holy Spirit into our lives only to have us by our attitudes and disobedience blow out the light? Does He try again to use us? How many times does He try before He decides there isn’t enough left and so He tries someone new? Do we ever become useless to Him?
When I was young I wanted to light up the world. I think every seminary graduate desires that. Now I just want to light up my family and my classroom. Has my vision shrunk or am I just being realistic and pragmatic? Perhaps in God’s great scheme that is all I was ever supposed to do. Surely my thoughts are not unique. Surely we all have dreamed of being a light to the world. What is important is to be content with the one’s light.
“Let your light so shine before men, . .” Matthew 5:16
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 29, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453