The soft lights of the first Christmas Eve service in our new building seemed to quiet all the hustle and bustle that had brought us. Adding to the softness of the lights above, one by one candles were being lit signifying the singular, privileged duty of each one to carry the light of the hope-filled Christmas message into the darkness of our world. My grandson sat on my lap, patiently watching and waiting, because, for safety reasons, the younger ones were asked not to hold candles. Being in our new building, we were continually learning new things. Tonight we were to learn that the almost imperceptible "wind" of the air conditioning system was enough to fan the flame of each candle and hasten its extinction. My grandson was fully aware of the precarious situation of the flame before him and he carefully cupped his hands around the struggling, flickering light. Tears welled in my eyes as I caught the significance of what he was doing.
The Jews in the Old Testament had the responsibility of being God’s light in a pagan world. In the New Testament, that responsibility is given to believers for we have the eternal light of Christ Himself within us. As that light shines from within us, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. ... Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." It is a beautiful privilege to sense the active presence of God in my life in accomplishing what Jesus has asked us to do. Likewise, it is discouraging to feel that my light is flickering, and struggling against the "winds" that want to extinguish it. I may just be tired or irritable, or feeling that life is on "overload." I may be struggling with sin or with a relationship. The harshness of life may be abrasively wearing me down. Whatever it is, my desire for good works and honoring God with all of my being is being diminished. It is then I need someone to come and carefully cup their hands around my struggling, flickering light.
Moms, we need each other! And God planned it that way! So many verses in Scripture speak about believers helping believers. Yes, sometimes we are very aware of our weaknesses, our frailties, our insufficiencies, our crippling hurts or struggles, and healing is needed. Sometimes it’s just those life changes and adjustments we all must make at different times. The light I desire flickers, but it is protected by the encouragement and help of another. And then, the light of hope fills the darkness of my watching world.
– Bev
(Related Bible reading: Romans15:1,2; Galatians 6:1,2; Hebrews 12:12,13)
