Let there be light

I brought two things in my box today, one that makes the other more useful. The guesses included an ambulance and paper, but what I had was a candle and matches. The candle is the kind in a glass jar, it is orange and smells like yummy pumpkin pie. But as much as certain commercials would have us think otherwise, the primary point of a candle is not to smell. It is to provide light.

First I lit the orange candle and we watched it burn for a minute. It wasn't a very big light and I'm sure those in the back found it hard to see. Then I brought out a large candle lighter/snuffer (which the children first thought was a shower head) and lit it, and then used it to spread the light to the torches near the altar. The torches are much bigger than my pumpkin candle. But even they stood out only so much, ... until Ms. Pulignano turned off the lights. And suddenly the candles blazed. Even the small one could be seen by everyone in the room.

The Bible tells us God's first act of creation was to bring light into the world. As caretakers of God's creation we should be protecting that light and helping it grow. Unfortunately, in our busy lives filled with distracting brightness, we don't always take the time to notice or to care for the Godlight that shines in us or in others. We often keep our lights covered instead of passing the fire along to others who may need it. We may even let our lights go out, leaving us vulnerable when darkness comes.

What can you do this week to shine your light into the lives of your family, your friends, your community and your world?