Sunday 8 August 2021

Just a candle

 

Insecurity, shyness, loneliness, not quite fitting in. All too often one meets people who, for one reason or another, feel that they are left out from what this world has to offer.

They may well be part of a group of friends at work, or at school, college or university, but yet they feel that they don’t quite fit in somehow. They are not the centre of attention – the funny one that everyone admires, the intelligent one, or the artistic or athletic one. They may well be part of the group all-right, but they are on the sidelines. The one who never quite gets noticed!

Such inner loneliness and insecurity can be crushing and can so easily suffocate one’s soul and one’s potential. 

Ah, look at all the lonely people. Where do they all come from? All the lonely people. Where do they all belong? (The Beatles)

The world is full of isolated people. People who, for one reason or another, are distanced from God.

I'll tell you where they all belong. I'll answer the question asked in that song. 

They belong to the Kingdom of God. They were all created by God, a loving Father, who would dearly wish they made their way back to Him in Heaven some day.

But a lot of them are lost souls. Wandering aimlessly here and there, earning a living perhaps, looking after their families, busying themselves with life, dealing with what problems and tragedies come their way, struggling through one crisis or another or whatever else has been dealt them in this lottery we call life.

Yet, despite their many ups and downs in life, they all belong to the Kingdom of God. If only they knew how to get there.

How about you? What is your role in all this? As a self-proclaimed Christian do you have a responsibility towards the lost multitudes of the modern age?

I believe we all have a duty to be a guiding light in this dark and sombre world. To be a tiny flame from a candle which slowly but surely can lights away the gloom and obscurity in many a soul. A light, which, amongst many others can be a beacon showing the way back home.

We are all role models for others. Good role models, or bad ones. We never know who is watching us and is influenced by our behaviour or what we say. We may be parents, teachers, lawyers, doctors, bus drivers or whatever else we have been entrusted to do in life. There is always someone watching and perhaps considering emulating our example. Whether it is good or not.

We don't all have to be preachers, writers, standing in street corners handing out leaflets, or knocking from door-to-door. 

All we need to do is live our lives as Christians. That's the difficult bit. But still worth trying.

Can you imagine, if by the way we live, someone, somewhere gets to know God and share in His love?

23 comments:

  1. ...loneliness is an increasing problem for some people these days.

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    1. Yes ... what are we doing about it?

      God bless, Tom.

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    2. Pressed "Publish" before finishing.

      We are all examples unto others Tom as we try our best in life. Thank you so much for your comment. Sorry you had trouble commenting yesterday.

      God bless always.

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  2. I'm reminded by your words here, Victor, that sometimes, we are the only Bible some people read. Let us shine the light of Jesus to others! I pray I touch souls through my blog and when I'm simply interacting with strangers or friends.
    Blessings!

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    1. I learn a lot from your Blog, Martha. Christian Blogs brighten up an otherwise dark Internet. Let our Blogs be the ones Jesus likes to read.

      God bless.

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  3. Amen to Martha Jane. 'This little of light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.' A line from a song in my childhood. I remembered it many times from the deck of a ship, seeing a lonely lighthouse flashing a light of directions.
    Good devotion for me from you today. THANKS from this side.

    Sherry & jack

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    1. Thank you so much, Jack and Sherry, for your kindness and continued visits. Yes, I remember the song well. We are all little lights shining throughout life.

      God bless always.

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  4. Nailed me, did you? Yep, I once was a regular Eleanor Rigby -- moving throughout school like an apparition -- observing, judging, rarely participating. Later, I became adept acting 'as if' but allowed few people to look beyond my mask. Thank goodness I FINALLY saw God was right there, all along waiting for me.

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    1. I need to take a picture of our new church t-shirts to show y'all. The back reads, "Be the light."

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    2. God was there for you all along. Waiting for you to find Him. And that is our role, for all of us today. Now that we have found Him, we should make Him known to others ... still searching.

      God bless you my friend. Thank you, Mevely, for your comment. Looking forwards to your T shirt.

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  5. Amen!! Well said. They way we live our lives could bring people to Christ or make them turn away. We must walk the talk!

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    1. Well said, Happyone. Live as an example.

      God bless always.

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  6. Our lives may touch people and make an impression when we are not aware of it. It is certain that we should watch our actions and reactions as if God was standing right next to us watching, because, in truth, He is!! God Bless.

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    1. Indeed Nells. God is always there by our side, watching, guiding and caring.

      God bless you.

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  7. Like a doctor, my first rule is "Don't do any harm."

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  8. I'm not the life of the party, have always been on the sidelines, but never felt lonely or insecure. I do what I can to help people , but feel no great need to be "included" or part of any group. And I'm happy with that. Someone needs to be on the outer and that's me. I think too many problems arise simply because everyone wants to be the one that is always noticed, always the shining star, belle of the ball, top dog, and when they can't be they feel let down, instead of realising that even the smallest of personalities has an important part to play.

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    1. We all have an important part to play, River. That is to be a good example to others.

      God bless you.

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  9. Dearest Victor,
    Well, we all have been propelled into this crazy, way overdone ME-ME culture where INSTANT GRATIFICATION is expected. If not so, people become depressed.
    Also because too many have pushed religion far away, they think they can do it all themselves. No way, we need our Faith and God as we are but miserable tiny ants here on this planet, only for a brief moment. No second chance so we need all the help from above that we can get!
    For living the life as a Christian, not only by lip service, we sure get noticed by others that are kind of lost. Lost direction one could say. Being pure and not fake, being true and not pretending and being humble and always remembering who we are. It was striking when we got asked in the biggest Muslim country in the world, WHY we were always so happy and enthusiastic. My quick reply was it is because of our religion and our big love. Guess that did sink in and made an impression.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. You are right, Mariette. It is very sad that we live through a lost generation who seem to have been tempted by materialism and false ambitions. God has been put aside in their lives.

      God bless you and yours.

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  10. You've reminded me of the song This Little Light of Mine -- we should all let our lights shine.

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    1. Yes, I remember that song, Mimi.

      God bless always.

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