The Light That Cannot Be Blown Out

A couple of posts ago, I wrote about how frustrated I was.  Pretty much everyone can relate to that. Who, after all, doesn't get irritated and even downright angry from time to time?

I had said that I heard the expression "light a candle" ... but sometimes I felt like I was trying to light a candle when it was "windy".

This morning I realized something that I overlooked earlier.  Surprise. Surprise.

When I am trying to light a candle "in the wind"... and it's not "lighting" ... that's an indication that the candle I am trying to light is not coming from within.  I am allowing circumstances to dictate my "ability to light up." That happens when I try to take care of things in my flesh...or in my own strength apart from God working in me.

As Christians who know Jesus and have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, the "light" is inside of us in the form of the Holy Spirit.

No amount of "wind" can truly blow Him out.  He cannot be extinguished.

What do we need to do when the storm around us is threatening us?

We need to turn inward - to the Light inside of us that cannot be blown out.

A Candle in a Very Dark World.

We all have our ups and downs, right?  When I am "down" I want to know about other people's "downs".  I suppose I just don't want to feel like I'm "the only one".  

Have you ever been there?  Surely, you have.  Hasn't everyone?

Who do you think this is?  

*He failed in business.
* He was defeated in legislature.
*He again failed in business.
* He was elected to the legislature.
* His wife-to-be died.
* He had a nervous breakdown.
* He was defeated for Speaker of the House.
* He was defeated for Elector.
* A son died.
* He was defeated for the Senate.
* He was defeated for Vice-President.
* He was defeated for the Senate.
* This man, Abraham Lincoln, was elected President.

A failure? He may have thought so at one time.  But, in reality...he was a candle in a very dark world. 

Candles in the Night

What do you think of when you think of candles?

I think of serenity.  Beauty.  Gentleness...a soft glow.

When I picture a candle at it's best, it is always when it is lighting up the darkness.  That's when the soft glow projects a beauty and gentleness that quiets your soul.

You have undoubtedly heard the expression, "If it's dark, light a candle".

Sounds good, but I'll be honest.  Sometimes when I'm in a bad frame of mind or I'm just plain depressed, I don't want to hear something that sounds even remotely like a reprimand.  It makes me cringe.

I mean.  It is a true expression, but that doesn't mean it's always going to be easy.  Ever tried to light a candle in the wind?  Or how about this?  Try lighting it in the wind without any means of keeping the wind away from the candle.

That's how I feel sometimes.

Have you ever been there?

I stare into nothingness.  Day after day.  The family that raised me "loves" me...but won't talk to me. Haven't been able to figure that one out.  My husband and our family is wonderful, but the kids are now grown and on their own.  I can't expect my spouse to 'be' there for me in every way at all times.

So what do I do?  I work.  Sleep. Eat.  Work, sleep, eat.  Work, sleep, eat.  Oh, and I occasionally spend some time with my husband when he's not tired.

Now what?

I think I need to learn about people who have gone through dark periods in their lives - but have projected a gentle, soft glow as they allow their candle to be lit in spite of how dark their souls feel.

They are out there.

"Candles in the Night"