A friend’s maiden attempt in making candles to bundle together with my homemade bath-scrub salt for the Christmas season, reminded me of a verse in the Bible that goes, “He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.” (Isaiah 42:3 NLT)
It is therapeutic to watch a candle burning: the light emits from the flickering flame can light up the entire room of darkness. And whenever the wind blows, the billowing flame flickers, but yet it keeps on burning. The burning wick, in its throes of heat, curtly remind me that if God is the Centre, He fuels the flame, and keep us going…..
The wear and tear of everyday life make it challenging to keep us God-focus. In today’s affluence-driven society, our desire for riches, pursuit of materialism, and selfishness with wealth, can ensnare and entangle us. And the worries of the modern day life can stifle our faith. Whenever we face insurmountable problems, we often swagger in our false strength as weather-beaten souls, eventually, we lose our spiritual vitality fighting battles that don’t really matter or rather, we assume responsibility that only God can undertake.
The candle will melt, the flames may get feeble, and the glow may dimmer……
But behold the moment, pause:
1. Watch-fully
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
2. Hope-fully
“Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the LORD your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.” – Joshua 1:9 NIRV
3. Trust-fully
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:7
4. Prayer-fully
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:38
In a nutshell, “Watch in Hope and Trust God “Prayer-full-ly.” God is in the details- His immutable guarantee: He creates the candles. He is indeed the Creator of all things- if He is able to place the stars in their sockets, suspend the sky like a curtain, and draw the Galaxy like a showpiece, don’t you think God is able to guide your life?
So remember that whenever we linger in the room of darkness, don’t putter out before the end, light up a candle, and let it be a centrepiece that beckons your soul- Jesus is right at the Centre of it all.
P.S. Make a date in a different candlelight setting, and while waiting for your “main course” to be serve, tune in to this song, titled “Jesus At The Center” by Isreal & New Breed, and be ministered in your inner man: https://youtu.be/cF8IfktCgqk?si=oWLJi2vZOQ2yJ2Dt
Treasures In Jar Of Clay 