A Tealight Candle
November 9, 2022 by Charlotte Riegel
Filed under Daily Devotions
By Charlotte Riegel –
The prayer walk event started in a dark room. The room is used for theatrical performances so the walls and floor are painted black. The light of one small tea light on the floor in the middle of the room was swallowed by the black surroundings.
We were invited to enter the room in silence and gather in a circle around the ‘light’. The group numbered about 30. As I entered the room from a bright summer evening I could see nothing so felt my way along the back wall hoping all the chairs had been removed. I preferred to stand while most of the group sat in a circle on the floor around the wee candle.
Ten minutes later I was amazed at how much I could see once my eyes adjusted to this darkness and that one little light. I could make out the shapes of many others in the room and even recognized some of them. The longer we were there the more we could distinguish.
The leader encouraged us to consider that what we do as artists, (visual artists, literary artists, dramatic artists) is like this light shining into the darkness of the many lives we encounter every day. Some will see a wee light coming from us yet continue to stumble on in the darkness encompassing them. If we can hold their attention even for a few minutes, perhaps they will begin to see more than that wee speck of light emanating from us. Then we may have opportunity to shed even more light into their darkness, helping them to see the obstacles, encouraging them to come closer to the light, to even embrace the light that will banish the darkness from their lives.
As we consider the coming of Jesus to earth during the Christmas season, and speak of Him as the light of the world, let us remember we are chosen to reflect His light to all around us. If we can keep their attention for a few minutes, they may begin to see more than the blackness engulfing them.
Prayer: Lord, may we be faithful in reflecting Your light in such a way as to encourage others to linger in that light till they are drawn to it so they too can walk in Your light of life.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV ).
Charlotte Riegel is a freelance writer recently moved from a large metropolitan city to a wee rural community in Western Canada. Some call it retirement. She calls it 're-tire' ment as she explores new avenues of written and visual expression while assisting her husband in establishing a business in the tourist industry.