"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

One time, while watching a candle's flame burn bright,
My mind began to drift and I began to surmise
of the similarites with a person's life and of the candle's light
from the moment the candle is lit until it finally dies.

A person, tired of the darkness, lights a candle's flame
To chase away the darkness and bring forth light
They never again want the darkness, they're quick to proclaim
The light sets them free to live their lives right.

Much the same as a person who gives their life to our Lord
When they ask for forgiveness; accepts Him as their Savior
He washes them clean; eternal life will be their reward
and tries to live their lives in a righteous behavior.

When the candle is first lit, the flame burns small
until the wax melts and the candle's flame glows
A new Christian will face challenges and often fall
But now he has Jesus and others to help him as he grows.

Sometimes certain conditions will cause the candle to flicker
almost causing it to go out but then, the flame grows again
A Christian will face tribulations and trials, friends may snicker
But when he trusts God and his Christian friends, he will maintain.

If by some chance, the candle does go out
There are other candles close by to re-light the flame
Just as a Christian may some day go through a spiritual drought
There are other Christians close by to help him his faith reclaim

eventually the candle burns out, it's light now gone
but before the light went out, new candles they lit with their flame
Bringing forth more light; more darkness withdrawn
Because of this candle, now gone, new candles are aflame.

A Christian too, eventually arrives at the time
When the Lord will call him home to Heaven and his final reward
Through all of life's struggles, he has continued to climb
and leading others around him to eternal life with our Lord

So, although his light here is earth is no more
Because of his efforts and faith, his flame will always live on
Through him, others will continue to implore
others to escape the darkness, and see a new dawn.

I was right, when watching a candle's flame burn bright
When my mind began to drift and I began to surmise
of the similarities with a person's life and of the candle's light
from the moment the candle is lit until it finally dies.

 

Rick Harris
©Oct 14, 2006