We aren’t all shooting stars streaking across midnight skies. We can’t all be suns to our world. We aren’t all dancing streams of energy. Some of us are just candles in the dark, praying the wind won’t blow.
I have a fragile spirit. It flickers and it sways. But make no mistake, it burns hot. Although simple and soft, the candle in the dark has its own unique power.
I used to visualize my spirit as that one candle in a quiet room. But, perhaps it is truly a sea of candles, one lit by ourselves in an attempt to go through this world, and the rest a vision of love shared – the rest lit by the friendship, the trust, the care, the love from others. We each share a piece of our own light when we let someone in, when we open ourselves. It is with the light of others that we burn our brightest.
For me, the lord is my wick, the only thing that allows flame to exist, but the people in my life, their beautiful spirits, are what makes my light shine brightest. These beautiful spirits create a sea of candles within me.
As we share ourselves, we each exist within one another. That is the beauty of fellowship. I think too many of us mistake love as a thing, something we hold onto, but love is an act. Love flows between each of us. You may think you can go through this alone, that you have everything you need. Yes, it is true that you hold the blessed ability to exist on your own accord, but through fellowship you move beyond existence and you gain life. Let your flame be mighty, but then share it with the world. Do not shelter your heart. Give and you shall receive.
The truth about flame is that as it spreads, the source does not grow weaker, but there is actually much more strength. So, as I picture our spirts as candles in the darkness of this world, I must remember that you lose nothing of your flame if you take the time to light another. Even if that other does not stay in your vicinity, they still carry your light with them and you carry theirs with you. It should always be your goal to give light. Because the candle in the dark sees no delight in its own flame. It does not burn for glory. It burns out of duty. The flame may guide, may welcome, may turn the haze clear. The truest fulfillment comes, however, when that candle may light another. Therein lies the glory. People become community when you lean in.
Share joy. Share love. Give light.
(Fellowship is from the chapter ‘A Vision of the Future’ in the book “A Testimony of Grace”)
Taylor Ruby's 