I was reading Matthew 5 a couple of nights ago and verses 14-16 really jumped out at me. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
As I read v. 16, I stopped and pray fervently that God would shine brightly in me. During my prayer, an image of a camp lantern came to mind. As I focused on it, I was there in a forest setting, watching as a lantern was being lit. I could hear the rush of propane and see the match setting the mantle ablaze. The mantle glowed a yellow white for little while then the fuel was turned all the way up and the light was so white and so bright I couldn't look at it directly.I looked up and saw the circle of light created by the lantern widen to several feet, then several yards, casting shadows among the trees. And it hit me...this was a picture of what me! I was that mantle.
Don't ya know that once a mantle has been used it becomes very fragile when not lit. It's very easy to destroy with only a slight touch. However, when it is filled with fuel and burning brightly it somehow becomes strong - as if the fuel racing through and being burned somehow also keeps it together.
The fuel is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit and the match, what sets us on fire is the love of Christ. We are so fragile when we aren't filled with the Spirit. It is that combination of the fire of our love for Christ and the fuel of the Holy Spirit that makes our lives bright, warm and oh, such a comfort in a dark forest.In response, I cried out to be that filled, that brightly lit...burn, baby, burn!
