"…a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish” Isaiah 42:3
Santa Cruz Moutains at 6:30 am
I was reading Isaiah 42 and the part about God not extinguishing a dimly burning wick struck me. If you have ever had to coax a flicker into flame you know it is a fine balance between enhance and extinguish – too little air, the flame goes out; too much air, the flame goes out…but give it just what it needs and the flicker flourishes.
This metaphor painted a picture of God’s loving-kindness for me. He takes time to tend, prod, nudge, prompt, stimulate, induce us into full flame – and not just once – he does it over, and over, and over again.
I was thinking about all the things that make our “flames” weaken – a cruel word, an inconsiderate gesture, a thankless peer, a poorly worded email, bad traffic, crabby children, a snappy reply, feelings of rejection, loneliness, and abandonment. The world is full of flame fading features that can make a wick weaken momentarily or for interminable amounts of time. The Bible says that Earth is satan’s dominion so it is no surprise that there is so much flame diffusing going on…the Bible also says that God created everything this earth has…and I think he uses it to make our flames flourish.
What makes your flame flourish - a kind word, a thoughtful reply, a considerate gesture, a card, clothing sale, a pretty garden, a compliment, blue sky, birds singing? Have you ever thought of these as gifts – gifts to you from your creator?
What has God brought into your life to keep your flame ablaze? What blessings, expected or non, have been dropped into your life? What things are you taking for granted – everyday little things like the smile of children, the wagging of a dog’s tail, the purr of a kitten, or the driver that lets you merge on the freeway?
Think of it this way, satan does not want your wick ablaze with light – he wants you a smoldering mess, at low glow, muted, faint, diffuse. When you are discouraged, dismayed and dissatisfied you have less impact.
Finding God’s gifts in our lives is a choice – a conscience one. An attitude of praise will garner you a much fatter flame – not that it is easy. I struggle with it everyday!
What makes your wick weaken? What fans your flicker into full flame? What attitudes do you need to change to garner a greater glow? God is working all the time – he never leaves, never forsakes, never abandons – look for your flame fanners – they are all around you.
Updates:
Living – The Johnson House SOLD! The hunt for a new residence continues. We have until April 30th – please pray for the right place and for financial provision.
Work – Training hit its finale with The Big Weekend March 28-30th which was a huge success, and the tiilt conference Marc 24-28th went incredibly smooth – only one exploding toilet to mar the otherwise tranquil setting.
Family – my uncle had a stroke in February that affected his eyesight – good thing is the doctors think they know where the clot originated from.
Requests:
Housing – I am with my relatives but when the Johnsons find their new abode I will probably be moving.
Work – I am wrapping up loose ends from both conferences, trying to rest a bit, and forging forward with venture and donated finances! Please pray that I will have a constant attitude of praise amidst all the challenges, usual office chaos, and prepping for an office and household move.
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
Family – my uncles continued recovery from his stroke
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.
Dena
PS Happy Belated Birthday Ashlie Fletcher! I know it wasn’t spent in Paris, but I hope it was fun!
I was reading Isaiah 42 and the part about God not extinguishing a dimly burning wick struck me. If you have ever had to coax a flicker into flame you know it is a fine balance between enhance and extinguish – too little air, the flame goes out; too much air, the flame goes out…but give it just what it needs and the flicker flourishes.
This metaphor painted a picture of God’s loving-kindness for me. He takes time to tend, prod, nudge, prompt, stimulate, induce us into full flame – and not just once – he does it over, and over, and over again.
I was thinking about all the things that make our “flames” weaken – a cruel word, an inconsiderate gesture, a thankless peer, a poorly worded email, bad traffic, crabby children, a snappy reply, feelings of rejection, loneliness, and abandonment. The world is full of flame fading features that can make a wick weaken momentarily or for interminable amounts of time. The Bible says that Earth is satan’s dominion so it is no surprise that there is so much flame diffusing going on…the Bible also says that God created everything this earth has…and I think he uses it to make our flames flourish.
What makes your flame flourish - a kind word, a thoughtful reply, a considerate gesture, a card, clothing sale, a pretty garden, a compliment, blue sky, birds singing? Have you ever thought of these as gifts – gifts to you from your creator?
What has God brought into your life to keep your flame ablaze? What blessings, expected or non, have been dropped into your life? What things are you taking for granted – everyday little things like the smile of children, the wagging of a dog’s tail, the purr of a kitten, or the driver that lets you merge on the freeway?
Think of it this way, satan does not want your wick ablaze with light – he wants you a smoldering mess, at low glow, muted, faint, diffuse. When you are discouraged, dismayed and dissatisfied you have less impact.
Finding God’s gifts in our lives is a choice – a conscience one. An attitude of praise will garner you a much fatter flame – not that it is easy. I struggle with it everyday!
What makes your wick weaken? What fans your flicker into full flame? What attitudes do you need to change to garner a greater glow? God is working all the time – he never leaves, never forsakes, never abandons – look for your flame fanners – they are all around you.
Updates:
Living – The Johnson House SOLD! The hunt for a new residence continues. We have until April 30th – please pray for the right place and for financial provision.
Work – Training hit its finale with The Big Weekend March 28-30th which was a huge success, and the tiilt conference Marc 24-28th went incredibly smooth – only one exploding toilet to mar the otherwise tranquil setting.
Family – my uncle had a stroke in February that affected his eyesight – good thing is the doctors think they know where the clot originated from.
Requests:
Housing – I am with my relatives but when the Johnsons find their new abode I will probably be moving.
Work – I am wrapping up loose ends from both conferences, trying to rest a bit, and forging forward with venture and donated finances! Please pray that I will have a constant attitude of praise amidst all the challenges, usual office chaos, and prepping for an office and household move.
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
Family – my uncles continued recovery from his stroke
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.
Dena
PS Happy Belated Birthday Ashlie Fletcher! I know it wasn’t spent in Paris, but I hope it was fun!
2 comments:
I really enjoyed the theme of this post. It really makes me think about how God uses us to reflect His glory and light to the world in places of darkness. Noriko and I talk about this concept a lot. She told me that initially she was attracted to God's light in me, which made her want to explore Christianity. God's light attracted a little Japanese moth (Noriko) to the true light (Him) through me! We still are SO HUMBLED to think that God used my little flame to lead Noriko from out of the darkness she use to live in most of her life. When I met her family in Japan last year, she said they are attracted to the light within you (God) and they think it is all from you and not God since they don't know Him now. We pray that the Lord will use our little flames to shine His light of truth for her family in Japan and others we meet. Thanks for writing this post. It's very inspiring. :)
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