The Whispers of God

My friend Debby gave me a beautiful set of lead crystal candleholders. I love beautiful things, but the reality of a large family is that fragile things just seem to get broken—on a regular basis. In spite of this, I didn’t want to pack both of the candleholders away and miss out on a visible daily reminder of my friend’s love. So . . . I put one piece in a well-protected place, but I kept the other out to enjoy—especially on a dark winter night . . .

A Dark Winter Night

Without the convenience of electricity, we’ve grown quite familiar with candles, relying on them to light our dark nights. One particular night I remember well. Waiting for Dan to get home . . . with a candle burning brightly in my crystal candleholder . . . with the children fast asleep, I enjoyed a few moments alone. The night seemed to grow long waiting for my sweetheart, and I must have fallen asleep because I was suddenly awakened by a loud crackling sound.

As I lay there foggy-brained, trying to determine exactly what the strange sound was, a picture of shattered crystal flashed through my mind. With this thought, I was jolted wide awake and jumped up to light another candle. To my shame, I found my crystal candle holder just as I imagined. It held the remains of the once-lit candle, but the top of the candleholder was cracked and burned.

I was so upset with myself that I just left it there—ugly broken, and burned. There was no one to blame but myself. If I had stayed awake and tended the flame, it wouldn’t have burned out and caused such an ugly mess.

Not long after this, Debby came to visit. She had rarely been able to come to my home, so I was pleasantly surprised. But, upon re-entering the house after saying good-bye, I saw the charred, ugly, and broken candleholder resting just where I’d left it. I felt so embarrassed. Debby must have seen it, and may have imagined I had not cared about her wonderful gift. The Lord whispered into my heart about the responsibility we carry with the light we bear within us.

When we receive Jesus, He places His light within us. “You are the light of the world. . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14a, 16a/NKJV).

Like spiritual candles, we shine the light of Christ brightly in a dark world. Darkness represents sin and the enemy’s influence. The candle holder represents the people, talents, giftings, and responsibilities God has entrusted to us. He places these beautiful gifts before us so that we may shine His light upon them. But how do we do this?

You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of life. (Phil. 2:15b, 16a)

Shine brightly for His glory today!

(Excerpt from chapter 12 of “Learning to Hear the Whispers of God”