We may have the best intentions, wanting to serve God and be His light even if the light is a small candle or LED light. We may, however, end up like a candle burning from both ends. One light is burning as an attempt to reflect the Light of the world, but the flame at the other end is our “stuff:” work, keeping up with housework, cooking meals, meetings, classes, doctor appointments, family business, hobbies, and more. These flames are licking up the wax at both ends and are in a collision course with each other. Once the flame has burned though both ends of the candle, both flames go out. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Done for.
“But,” you say, “I have to do all these things. People depend upon me. I have a job. You don’t know how hard it is to get it all done and still shed my light for God. Yes, I know what you mean. I’ve been there, too. I’m sure you would agree: Isn’t there a better way? How can our flame be confined to one end and we still manage our daily responsibilities and our desire to shine our light for Jesus.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3: 23-24
Ah … the better way is to keep this in mind: our working, whether in using our spiritual gifts or washing the dishes, is all a matter of “serving the Lord Christ.” The self-ignited light at the wrong end of the candle needs to be extinguished so our light may be placed in a position to shine light into the darkness of the world. I have never seen a candle holder constructed to display a two-ended candle. The person who lights a candle at both ends is the one who has to hold it, or it will either be dropped and both lights will be extinguished.
The core question to ask should be, “Does what I am doing or planning to do bring glory to the Lord or to myself?”
Some reasons why my candle burns at the wrong end:
- My day may be filled with all sorts of good things to do, even must-do things. If my inner motives and attitudes in performance are to make me look good, make my surroundings self-gratifying, or to check something off a list, this lights the other end of my candle.
- Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. – Psalm 37:5
- Another problem arises, as well, when in my attempt to reflect the Light of Christ, I light the wrong end of the candle. I can’t say “no” when there is some ministry I’m able to do: church nursery, teaching Sunday school, driving Miss Daisy to church or to the grocery store, leading the children’s choir, ushering, going on a missions trip, volunteering at a local homeless shelter or pregnancy center, community evangelism outreach—and more. All these wonderful, needed ministries are what God wants done, but am I the only one person to get it done. By saying yes to every ministry that comes along, I do not allow others to do what God puts in their path to do. These are self-gratifying and may only light the wrong end of the candle.
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6-7
- Perhaps I make a promise, but when the time comes, I am unable to follow through. This extinguishes the right end of the candle, and the guilt of not fulfilling the promise guts the wrong end.
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. – James 1:5
- My desire may be to shine the light of Jesus, but my job, my family, my health, my whatever consumes most of my time. I get frustrated because I can’t take care of what I need to do, and work for Jesus, too. These are essential, and there is no time left to shine the right end of the candle. Ah, but God has given these things. He wants me to use my job, my family, my health issues, and all these essentials as a means to shine the light for Him. Until I see these things as part of the right end of the candle, they will burn and soon burn out on the opposite end.
- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
Challenge: Ask, “Am I trying to light both ends of my candle?” Devote both every day needs, commitments, and work as well as reflecting Christ’s light into your world to Him alone.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I want to reflect you in the world where you have placed me; help me to shine my entire life, not just a part, for You alone. In Your name, Amen.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16
[i] This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND
