A Real Flame

Many years ago, a friend gave me a lovely votive candle holder.
She knew that I love candles.
She knew that I love blueberries.
This votive candle holder had clusters of blueberries on the base.

I only burn one candle, which sits on my island in the kitchen.
It is my favorite scent: Country Store.
It is a conglomeration of all the scents you might smell if you walk into a country store.
The scent of the candle permeates the entire house.

I have the votive candle holder I received as a gift on my hall tree in the foyer.
I pass it every day whenever I go upstairs.
It reminds me of my friend.
I like that it incorporates two things that I enjoy.

I never kept an actual votive candle in the holder with the blueberries on it.
Votive candles have a short burn time.
For safety, I only like to light the candle in the kitchen.
That is where I spend much of my time; the candle is safer on a granite counter top.

I looked at the votive candle holder as it began to get dark.
How I wish I could light this special gift without forgetting to blow out the votive candle.
Then I remembered that my daughter had extra votive candles from her wedding.
These votive candles are battery operated.

The small votive appears to have a flame.
The flame appears to flicker.
I only need to turn on the switch at the base.
My votive candle holder, that I received as a gift, will finally be used as it was intended.

Almost.

The votive candle holder glows.
The flame of the pseudo-candle appears to flicker.
The battery operated votive is much safer for the location of the candle holder.
However, I know that the flame is not real.

The flame looks real but it is not.
The flame appears to glow but it is artificial.
From a distance, one would cautiously approach the flickering flame.
Upon closer inspection, one would discover that there is no heat at all.

Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. Share with God’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes. (Romans 12:11-13)

How many of us walk around like a battery operated votive candle?
We appear to shine, but our light is artificial.
We appear to generate heat but we are lukewarm or actually cold.
We look good on the outside but in actuality, nothing about us is genuine.

We may fool other people but we do not fool God.
When we are in Christ, the flame is genuine.
The light of our flame radiates the Lord we serve and the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
Our light does not appear or disappear with an on-off switch.

My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night, But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—It gives a lovely light! (Emily Dickinson)

As far my candle holder goes, the battery operated votive candles are fine.
As far as our faith goes, only the real thing will do.
People may think our light is stupendous.
God knows where our light originates.

Our light has to originate with Him or it is not genuine.
Our light has to radiate His love; no imposters will do.
Only a true flame will generate heat.
An artificial flame looks real from a distance but it is actually cold and ineffective.

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9)

When we are in Christ, we have to speak His name.
We have to tell others about Him.
We have to share His Word with those around us.
We cannot hold it in if we are in Christ.

So set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain and I can’t control. I want more of You, God.
I want more of You, God. (Will Reagan)

In Christ, our flame is real.
In Christ, the heat we generate is actual heat.
In Christ, the flame cannot be turned on or off at will.
In Christ, out flame is fueled by the Holy Spirit.

Set a fire, God.
We want more of You to shine for others to see.
You ignite that flame in our soul.
You keep the flame burning by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Amen and Amen.