For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. Psalm 18:28

I read a quote recently that reminded me of the strength and beauty of God’s character.  “Man is only the candle; God is the flame.”

We all know what the purpose is of a lamp or a candle.  It is to spread light to all in it’s vicinity.  A candle has no ability of its own to boast about or be proud of. By itself, it remains dark and dead. A candle can’t reserve anything for itself and it must receive oxygen to keep burning.  What is the actual value of a candle…of the wax that makes up the candle?  It’s the flame that really makes it useful.

We could be likened to candles.  We are only plain, inactive objects unless we are lit by the love of Christ.  Then, from us, pours light and warmth to touch other people.  The Psalmist says, For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness (Psalm 18:28).  In contrast, Job says, The light of the wicked shall be put out (Job 18:5).  It all depends on who we allow to inspire our lives and work in us.  People around us will see a beautiful flame through our actions if we daily allow God to pervade our mind.

The light of a candle is meant to be seen.  In fact, Matthew 5:14 declares that it can’t be hidden!  The light of love-inspired help to others will radiate warmth and home to everyone it touches. The light of the hope that we have in Christ spoken to those around us who live in fear will be used by the Father to draw them to Christ.  Let us never feel justified in keeping our candle under the bushel of our comfort zone.  We’ll find that that light will soon flicker and die. Let’s let Christ’s light shine out, because darkness has to flee when the Lord shines through us in full power.

A candle, or a lamp is beautiful when it bears the Master’s flame and shines its brightest for His glory.  As people watch our daily life, do they see a radiant flame?  As John the Baptist said in John 3:30, He must increase, but I must decrease.