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"Let
your light so shine before men..." Matthew 5:16
In the darkness which pervades our world, let us not discount the
need for light. One light may not restore the light of mid-day; yet
that light may be enough to give hope to some lost traveler, weary
and footsore, whose heart-cry is, "Where is the light? If only I
knew the way."
The call for the day is for Christians everywhere to keep their
lamps trimmed and burning. As far as our capability to produce
light, we could liken ourselves to the wick of the lantern. If
burned alone we would flame up for an instant only to be
extinguished as soon as the cotton were consumed.
However, when immersed in oil, we serve singularly as an avenue for
oil to travel to the flame. What a need there is for all who follow
Christ to immerse themselves in His Holy Spirit--to serve as a
conduit for His holiness and to shine out into the world in such a
way that it illuminates and brings hope and judgment.
To be in continual readiness, we must be tenderers of our own flame.
In order for the wick to produce a flame bright and true, the
blackened end must be trimmed. This requires a daily involvement and
awareness on our part. An untrimmed wick produces a smoky flame
which darkens and obscures the light as it coats the globe with
soot. We would as soon place a "bushel" over our light as to neglect
it and allow our humanity to obscure it.
We must be willing to heed the checks of the Spirit. We must keep
true to our vows made before God and follow the leadings of today.
We cannot cling to the flame of the past or live in the glory of the
light we once experienced. Be not afraid to trim away the wick, but
anticipate the new brightness of the light He has for you today.
Will the darkness ever become so thick as to extinguish the light we
provide? Never. All a wick requires is oil and trimming. As long as
we are continually filled with the Holy Spirit and take care to trim
away the charred excesses which He reveals to us, we shall shine
brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
--Sis.
René Smith |
