There's something beautiful about fire and candlelight. I have always thought this is because people are awed by how destructive something so beautiful can be. Tonight I have thought something else. I have this small candle from somewhere and tonight I lit it for no real reason. Here are my realizations:
Jesus Christ is called the Light of the World. As his disciples, and members of his church, we also are to be lights (Matt. 5). I think people find fire attractive in part because it reminds of spiritual things. Girls who attend testimony meeting at Girl's Camp around the fire often say (and I agree) that it is one of the most spiritual experiences they have had and probably will have. I admit this to be partially because you have spent days camping in God's nature, away from civilization, but there is almost always a fire at that meeting and it is what every girl, leader, and Priesthood holder are looking at. God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son that man might look to him and live (See John 3:16 and Hel 8:15). In the very old days, man lived by fire. Without it work could only be done by day and food was consumed raw. Fire, in a way, led to civilization. Likewise, the Light of the Gospel, Jesus Christ, leads to salvation.
I also realized the small light of the candle does very little right after having the light on. However, after your eyes adjust, or after you put the candle out and relight it, it is amazing how much light it really provides. In a way, this is like trials. When life is dandy and everything is good, the lights are all on, that small candle can be lost in all the artificial light (the natural world, that can often be positive and good). Looking at the small flame, after dwelling in that light, it appears mediocre at best. But when the trials of life strike and those artificial lights go out, whether one by one or all at once, it is in that time that the light of the candle is fully appreciated - But only if viewed properly. If the candle is placed on a low surface, for example the floor, the candle does very little to combat the darkness. If placed higher, its warm light flows over the room and illuminates the area.
In the trials of our lives, after all the artificial lights (the worldly things that bring happiness) have gone out, we see more clearly the benefit of that candle, the Light of the World. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." When it is dark enough in our lives, we can chose to see what's left that is positive instead of dwelling on the negative. This is much easier if you have the stars, or that candle, to see by. It is at the times of life filled with trials that we must turn to Christ and let him light our lives by putting him first and holding on until the time comes, however slowly, that the artificial lights come back on.
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