TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

Famous author Max Lucado wrote a story about the purpose of candles. Below is a paraphrased version:

There was a blackout one night when I fumbled to the closet where we kept the candles for nights like that. I found one and lit it. With the large candle in my hand, I started to walk away when I heard an unfamiliar voice saying, “Hold it right there.” “Who are you?” I asked. “I’m the candle you are holding in your hand. Please, don’t take me out into the dark.” “What do you mean?” I added, “I have to take you out. You’re a candle. Your job is to give light, and it’s dark out there.” “But you can’t take me out. I’m not ready,” the candle explained, “I need preparation.” I couldn’t believe my ears. “More preparation?” I appallingly asked. “Yes, I need to research about this job of light-giving so I won’t go and make a bunch of mistakes. You’d be surprised how distorted the glow of an untrained candle can be,” the candle answered. “All right then, you’re not the only candle on our shelves. I’ll blow you out and take the others.”

However, as I opened the cabinet, I heard other voices coming from the other candles. “We aren’t going either!” they protested. So I turned to the other candles, “you are candles, and your job is to light dark places.” “Well, you may think that we have to go, but I am busy meditating on the importance of light. I find it very enlightening,” the large purple candle said. “I’m waiting to get my life together; I’m not stable yet. I just got married,” another candle with a female voice explained. “I’d like to help, but lighting the darkness is not my gift; I’m a singer. I sing to the other candles to encourage them and burn more brightly.” Then the candle started singing, “This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine.” And the other candles join in the singing. I stood there, perplexed. Four healthy candles, singing to each other about the importance of being light but refused to come out of the closet.

Lucado’s story might be fiction, but we could reflect on it. When was the last time you shared the gospel and shone your light? The world is full of darkness, waiting for Jesus’ light to shine and help them find the way. It can happen when we, as Christians, share our faith. When we show kindness and compassion to others, Christ is seen in us. It is perplexing and absurd to see Christians passionately singing, “Lord, I offer my life to You,” yet never share the gospel with anyone.

We have basketball teams that go abroad twice a year to play with other teams from different countries in age-group competitions—one of the teams was a former PBA player. This player brings and gives out gospel tracts to players from other countries. The other teams include the communist country of China and Muslim countries like Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. However, the said basketball player openly shares His faith with them. I was so amazed to witness his passion. He would try to look for a Church during our trips and invite his teammates to attend when it was a Sunday. He is an example of a person who is not afraid to let his light shine. He left a significant impact on me.

Matthew 5:16 states, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Like the moon that reflects the sun’s light, so should we reflect the heavenly light from our Lord and shine brightly for Him. This was Jesus’ purpose when He said, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12), and so are we, instead of giving excuses like what the candles did.

REFLECTION

It is truly absurd that the candles in the story refused to fulfill their primary purpose—to be lighted and shine in the darkness. It is more ridiculous that Christians who are supposed to reflect the heavenly light from Christ refuse to shine for Him in this dark world. We might not realize it, but Christ’s light in us may be the only hope that people around us can see. Will we be the light for people to see God’s will through our good works and glorify Him? Or will we stay inside the closet, our comfort zone, and ignore our purpose?

PRAYER

Lord, let me be the light that reflects Your light. Strengthen me to be courageous and testify Your goodness to others. Let me be Your hands and feet in this world. Lord, put a fire in my heart so I could shine brightly in my workplace, family, class, and community—for them to know You as You let me glorify Your name in Christ’s name, amen.