I received this beautiful story from Anne (not her real name): 

This is a story of a small candle carried by a man as he climbed the stairs to the lighthouse. 

On the way up, the candle asked the man: “Where are we going?” 

“We are on our way to the lighthouse to give signals to the big ships on the ocean,” the man replied. 

“What?!” said the candle: “How can a little flame like me give signals to the big ships on the ocean? It’s impossible! They will never be able to see my light,” the little candle said softly. 

“If you think your light is small, that’s your perception. You just keep shining until we get to the top, and leave the rest to me,” said the man. 

When they got to the top, the candle saw a huge lamp, with a long candle wick hanging down behind it. 

The man then took the lamp’s wick and lit it with the candle in his hand and immediately the whole place was brightly lit. The lamplight was so strong that the ships on the ocean could see it clearly. 

We are all aware of our limitations, and don’t feel that we can mean or do anything of value to anyone. While we see ourselves as small and insignificant, we will remain so, but there is one thing we have forgotten. We are small candles, but in the Hands of an Almighty God; He makes this little candle a blessing for everyone to see. 

You may be the small candle that keeps the lamp wick burning, so that the big ships on the sea of life can stay on course. 

A small encouraging word or prayer or a small act of love can ignite a great fire of love. 

Please keep all the small candles burning and use them to bless others. 

So easily we think that we cannot make a difference. Who am I to do or mean something to others? But maybe your small flame is the one that lights a big light and helps many people not to crush themselves on the rocks of life. 

Remember: God will give you strength to do what you must do. You don’t have to do it on your own. And when we manage to do that, we must reflect the light like the lighthouse. Then we must reflect the honour to God. 

That’s what the Word of God says we should do. 11… if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!  

Let’s plug into God and make a difference, so that the world can see God.  

Scripture
1 Peter 4:7-11 

Reflection
Is your light shining?
Where can you make a difference?
Do you believe that God will help you? 

Prayer
Father, thank you for the light. I know I should shine it, but I don’t always know how and where. Give me strength and wisdom to use my gifts everywhere. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.