What It Takes To Light A Candle

We’ve decided to light a candle in each of our new homes in the slums as a symbolic act as we begin our efforts to be light to our neighbors.

A few days ago we lit our first candle, as some of our teammates moved into a lovely little room in a slum between some railroad tracks and next to an incredibly dirty drainage canal.

Turning off the fan, we attempted to light a match. The first of the rather cheap matches wouldn’t light. Neither would the second or third. The next lit, but then went out before igniting the candle. Another burned a bit longer but the candle still didn’t catch. We considered giving up but decided it was worth a few more tries.

Finally a match lit and burned long enough to bring flame to the candle as well. We sat there sweating with the fan off to keep it from blowing out the candle. We prayed and sang and asked God to work through us and in spite of us.

And I couldn’t help but think of all those before us who worked hard and gave and suffered and sometimes got burnt before we could light this candle. And I was thankful for their sacrifices and the light they shed before us.

And I couldn’t help but think that if you want a light in a dark place you have to sweat. You have to switch off your fans. You have to give up your comfort.