Where's Your Light?

I love inspiring quotes. They lift me up and make me think in a better way than I was. They allow me to see the world from someone else’s point of view that I may never have considered before. They cheer me up and I can use them to oftentimes encourage others.

I have one quote however that really makes me think. It makes me hesitate, challenges me to think about how I’m living and what I’m living for.

The quote comes from John Keith Falconer.

"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light"

On the surface, it doesn’t seem like much, but really look at it. Every believer is a light in the world and we are called to share that light with others. In Matthew, we are told to let our light shine before men.

This quote also goes right along with why I aspire to be a missionary. There are very few people here who haven’t at least heard about Christ or who don’t have any access to His Word. Even if they reject His light, they have a chance to accept it, because they can know it should they choose to seek it.

Other areas in the world don’t have this luxury. They have no light, no chance for any unless someone brings it to them.

“But Rachel, living in the darkness doesn’t sound fun or safe.”

No. It doesn’t. It’s scary and safety is far from guaranteed. But it’s so worth it.

Think about it, if the sun’s out and it’s already bright, do you waste the energy to turn on a light? Of course not. It’s a waste of power. You wait until the sun has lowered and you need to be able to see better.

Now if you think of life as a candle, all of the sudden, wanting to live in the darkness makes a lot of sense. In the light, another light is wasted. Life is wasted where it’s already bright.

I would rather live my life where it is useful and my light can shine bright and bring light to others instead of just showing people light that they see every day and shut out.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

I ask you if you will to think about not only just letting your light shine, but also about where you are letting it shine, and if you are letting it shine into an area where it is most needed.