We’ve listened to the song “Refiner” by Maverick City Music quite a bit in our house recently. 

You're a fire

The refiner

I wanna be consumed

I wanna be tried by fire

Purified

You take whatever you desire

Lord here's my life

One morning, while listening to this, I got a picture in my head of a singular candle. It represented the life of a believer. 

First, the spark of a match is lit to create a flame. This represents the initial pull toward the warmth of God’s love. Once we accept His love, the flame touches the wick. Just like with a brand new wick, it takes a little time for the flame of new belief to take hold and burn consistently. 

The scent turns into an aroma once the candle is lit and is so much more noticeable because of the flame. 

Once the wick catches, it can burn for a long time. Sure, there will be occasional disturbances, and the candle may even need a new match, but ultimately, once lit for the first time, it’s much more suited to continue burning and if necessary, be re-lit. 

This picture of an individual candle soon morphed into a candle shop, with rows and rows of shelves, fully stocked with every shape, size, and scent one could possibly imagine. All brand new and waiting to be lit for the first time.

It was as if those candles each represented a life. Some were labeled with long burning times, others were short-lived. 

As believers, we’re all candles. 

We’re each designed with our own unique makeup of materials resulting in an aroma only we can emit. Sure, we may have a similar scent to some people, but no two are the same.

The burn time relates to when in life a believer “gets lit.” Some have long burn times because they accept Jesus at a young age. Others have multiple wicks that cause them to burn through faster, but with more power. Some are more like tea candles, accepting at the very end. 

Either way, we have a God who is about the business of lighting His candles to bring light to the world. Sometimes, rather than a new match, He uses an already light candle to light a new one. Discipleship.

So, let’s get and stay lit, shall we? If you’ve never experienced what I’m talking about, please feel free to reach out to me! I’d love to talk more about this with you.