I was listening to Shane Hipps speak on Ezekiel 34.  He made an outstanding point about fire.  On the one hand, the fire on the top of a candle is incredibly powerful.  A flame that is no bigger than a dime can be seen from a mile away.  A puny flame can extinguish darkness.  I’d also like to add that this miniscule flame can make a grown man cry, if he were to place his palm on top of it.  The flame of a candle can destroy and guide, proving its power.

On the other hand, this little flame is incredibly fragile.  With just an exhale, it can be extinguished, vanishing, never to return.  Just an invisible, gentle breath can conquer it. 

The candle light is both powerful and delicate; it can ruin and give revelation.  It can overcome darkness and it can be overcome by darkness.

That got me thinking about being a light of God’s love to others.  On the one hand, those of us who have the light of Christ have an incredibly powerful flame.  The light of God in us can extinguish the darkness around us, as we serve and love our neighbors.  God’s kingdom advances through the light of his people, whom he desires to be a lamp on a stand and a city on a hill.

On the other hand, those of us who have the light of Christ have an incredibly fragile flame.  It doesn’t take but one focused breath to knock us down.  That’s what happens when we “blow” our witness.  When we fail to love and fail to serve, our powerful light goes out.  When our way of life doesn’t match our words, hypocrisy reigns and light drains. 

Nobody likes a hypocrite, especially from those who claim to be lights. 

Here’s what I learn from the candle: we are just a breath away from either greatness or darkness.

© 2010 by Samuel Kee