Freelance Columnist
opinion
When you take a tour in a cave, the guide stops at one point and turns out all the lights, to give you a vivid experience of total darkness. The guide often lights one match or a lighter before turning on the main lights. It is amazing how much difference that one little light makes.
If you enjoy taking a bath by candlelight, you have also discovered that one candle makes a big difference in what you can see and how you feel. You can add many more candles if you wish, but each additional candle will never have as great an effect as that first one you lit.
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In many Christian churches, one candle, called the Christ Candle, is lit just before worship begins. But most worship services are held in daytime, and with lights on in the church the impact of this candle on the worshippers is seldom experienced to the fullest. Yet the person who goes to light that candle, often a youth, makes the most important statement of that service, saying by that action that God is with us and shows us the light.
For people who are experiencing darkness and pains of life, the first light, or even the first glimmer of light, acts as a beacon to help them continue with their struggle and desire to make meaning out of a situation that often seems meaningless.
For some people this comes through an experience of faith, an inner awareness of that spiritual force that we call by many names, God, Jesus, Allah or Jehovah. That initial light, however little, doesn’t do away with all their problems or doubts, but it guides and directs them to stronger lights of faith, hope and empowerment.
For some people, the first glimmer of light comes as a helping hand from a stranger. They may reach out to a helping group such as Alcoholics Anonymous, New Choices For Men, Compassionate Friends, Can Surmount and other organizations where people find and give emotional and spiritual acceptance and support. Or it may involve someone from one of those groups reaching out to them.
Don’t be distracted
Recognize and respond to the candles of life that are around you, which you may have ignored up to now. One candle can guide us during difficult times if we concentrate on its light. If you focus on too many things at once, you won’t see that candlelight. You’ll be distracted by other things that aren’t as helpful.
You can also be a candle for others. Being with someone when they’re anxious, sick or in pain acts as a candle to them. So does being honest to both yourself and others about your feelings and sharing them. Dealing with your own problems in life, and owning up about them with others, helps them know the direction and light they too can follow.
A popular children’s hymn begins, This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
It’s amazing how powerful one little light can be in our world if we are willing to let it shine.
