Some things are made to stay the same, to be held and preserved: memories, photographs, things that mean more to us than they do to others. We want to keep them and hold them. We don’t want to give them away.
Other things have no meaning, really, unless we spend them and let them change. Money is safe and measurable in your hand or your bank account, but it’s doing nothing there. An unlit candle never shines. It’s just wax, not light. It never gets past being pure potential. As long as you’re saving or storing them, an unlit candle or saved money are really only things to take care of – a sort of burden.
It makes sense to provide for the future. But beyond a certain point where you have stored some candles for a dark night ahead, or some money for your future, beyond that point, storing more is not useful. Beyond that point, storing or not using is a way of destroying, of never letting the thing that’s meant to be used fulfil its real potential.
I hope you have a little money. I know for sure you have other gifts: maybe a singing voice, a kindness, a gift for organising or encouraging or bringing people together. You may have a way with words, or with food, or with children or old people. That gift, those skills, they are unlit candles too, unless you put them out there, risk them and put them to use.
All your money, your skills, your gifts: you can save them for another day if you like. But don’t wait too long. Use the things that are meant to be used and spend what is meant to be spent. Let things change, and watch your seeds become trees. Hear your beautiful voice become a song. Let all your candles shine.
Matthew 5: 14-15 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Luke 6:37 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap
Grace Parables 