A cheap, battery-operated tea light graces a prominent place on our kitchen bar. It’s there because of its unusual, lasting flicker. Christmas night, at a candlelight service, the little flame-shaped lights were given to everyone. My son’s candle was broken. Without a switch, it was on when he received it, and it remained in full operation throughout the celebration, on the drive home, and after the Christmas decorations were stored in the attic. Over a month later, it still flickers. At first the little light was so bright, it illuminated the entire room; now it looks like the light has gone out. However, put it in a very dark place and peer at it closely, and sure enough, its little light still shines.
Like the candle, hope can sometimes light a situation so brightly that gloom of discouragement is completely dispelled. Yet, at other times, hope can seem lost. When hope has grown dim, oddly enough, it is the darkening of situations that can reveal a light lingers still. There’s something about reaching a hopeless place that resurrects a desire to hope. It’s not always the moments of bold, brilliant faith that stand out; sometimes it is those moments when faith feels weakest, when it’s mustard-seed sized, that we realize God’s strength must prevail. Knowing that He will triumph is what keeps hope flickering through the darkest night. Hold on, for joy will come in the morning.
Tip/Tidbit: The other candles with their on-off switches conserved their energy or burned out shortly after the Christmas service. Useless and ordinary, they were tossed in the trash. My son’s tea light, with its persistent, around the clock flicker, remains on the counter top. In like manner, people who choose to hope in impossible situations stand out as individuals. They are the Helen Kellers, the Martin Luther King, Jrs., the Nick Vujicics. They are the single moms next door, the mentally ill client struggling with schizophrenia, the jobless. As long as they refuse to give in, they flicker with hope. Their persistence make a difference that is both lasting and lingering, whether to one or to many; they receive the position of honor. Look up videos of one of those heroes of hope, and choose to hope today.
Like the candle, hope can sometimes light a situation so brightly that gloom of discouragement is completely dispelled. Yet, at other times, hope can seem lost. When hope has grown dim, oddly enough, it is the darkening of situations that can reveal a light lingers still. There’s something about reaching a hopeless place that resurrects a desire to hope. It’s not always the moments of bold, brilliant faith that stand out; sometimes it is those moments when faith feels weakest, when it’s mustard-seed sized, that we realize God’s strength must prevail. Knowing that He will triumph is what keeps hope flickering through the darkest night. Hold on, for joy will come in the morning.
Tip/Tidbit: The other candles with their on-off switches conserved their energy or burned out shortly after the Christmas service. Useless and ordinary, they were tossed in the trash. My son’s tea light, with its persistent, around the clock flicker, remains on the counter top. In like manner, people who choose to hope in impossible situations stand out as individuals. They are the Helen Kellers, the Martin Luther King, Jrs., the Nick Vujicics. They are the single moms next door, the mentally ill client struggling with schizophrenia, the jobless. As long as they refuse to give in, they flicker with hope. Their persistence make a difference that is both lasting and lingering, whether to one or to many; they receive the position of honor. Look up videos of one of those heroes of hope, and choose to hope today.
RSS Feed
