Sunday, July 4, 2010

This Little Light of Mine

"This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…"

I wasn’t sure what the correct word was for the item that actually extinguishes a flame. But, thanks to the intranet, I now know it’s called a “Snuffer”. According to Wikipedia :

“In modern times, a candle snuffer is an instrument used to extinguish burning candles. This is accomplished by smothering the flame with a small metal cup that is suspended from a long handle, and thus depriving it of oxygen. The use of a candle snuffer helps to avoid problems associated with blowing hot wax. Candle snuffers are commonly used in homes and churches."

If you Google it, you’ll find all shapes and sizes of them. Snuffers.

Snuffers- “extinguish burning candles... smothering the flame …depriving it of oxygen.” do you have “Snuffers” in your life? People that put out your flame- your enthusiasm, your fire for the Lord? Maybe you work with one. Maybe your neighbors with one. Maybe you’re related to one. Maybe you live with one… ouch! That’s a little too close to home! We all have at least one- I’m sure many of us have more than two or three “snuffers” in our lives. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he writes:

"6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1: 6 & 7

When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. When the disciples first witnessed the Holy Spirit it came like a flame.

"1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. "

Acts 2: 1-4

I also found it interesting that in Wikipedia it said:

.. The use of a candle snuffer helps to avoid problems associated with blowing hot wax...

I feel sometimes like my "snuffers" see my faith as a "problem" and they feel that when I share my faith I'm "blowing hot wax" as if it would harm someone instead of help to save them. I think Satan feels that way. I think he doesn't want us sharing, loving, teaching or even trying to spread our flames and igniting the people around us.

Finally, Wikipedia stated:

"...Candle snuffers are commonly used in homes and churches."

Now that final sentence hit me right off the start- do we have "snuffers" in our church's also??? Oh yeah- ALIVE AND WELL. Every day we see and hear about church issues. Disagreements that sometimes split churches right down the middle. How sad is that! If we allow Satan into our churches, we're in big trouble. He can be there like a stealth bomber, just coming in under the radar and then WHAM- attack when we least expect him to. When we allow things like what color the paint the men's bathroom, where to place the communion trays or getting our feelings hurt because someone didn't include us for an event, we're allowing Satan to have a field day!

Friends, don't let Satan do this. Don't allow him to "snuff" our faith. Don't allow him to extinguish our flames but allow His Spirit to fan the flame and make it stronger than ever so everyone can witness it.

"Won't let Satan (snuff) it out- I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan (snuff) it out- I'm gonna let it shine.
Let is shine, let it shine, LET IT SHINE!"

Father, I so thankful for your Holy Spirit. I'm so amazed at Your awesome power and flame that rises in us when we allow You to fully work in us. Help us to not allow that flame to be dimmed or even extinguish by satan. In Jesus Name- AMEN

Julie