Called to be Firecrackers?

This is an adaptation of a devotion that I gave several years ago when speaking at a conference to several pastors' wives. Recent celebrations brought it to memory again.

It is illegal for individuals to set off firecrackers for personal use in Ohio. Even so, it does not seem to be a law that is followed or enforced with any regularity. Other states do not have laws banning the purchase and use of fireworks at home. When we lived in Tennessee, Pastor Dad usually set off a selection of small pyrotechnic devises each Fourth of July for the enjoyment of our children.

One holiday I was sitting on the porch watching the display and the Lord brought Matthew 5:14-16 to mind. One of the phrases serves as my blog verse and it is probably already a familiar one to you.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

As Christians, we are the light to the world. I began to think how sometimes my light is more like that which comes from a firecracker than a candle. My spirituality may have a lot of force behind it as I delude myself into thinking I'm "in the Spirit" but after awhile it becomes apparent that the result might be momentarily beautiful but illumination is not going to be maintained. Quickly the light will fizzle to the point that no one will be able to even see it, let alone be led to God by it.

But wouldn't it be nice to be a lighting devise that can accomplish powerful things for the Lord? Perhaps. However, putting on a spectacular show prior to a quick burn out is not what the Lord had in mind. Just because a lighting device has a wick – or fuse – doesn't mean that it is one in which to place confidence during a dark storm. Remember the following:

• In order for a light to lead others it needs to be consistent and faithful. God expects us to shine until the job is done.
  
• The objective is not to glorify self but to glorify God. The candle might never be admired in and of itself but if it points the way to The Way it has fulfilled its purpose. A firecracker expects to be the whole show.
  

As a homeschooling mother I have a tendency to "blow my top" before my family thereby extinguishing the light of my testimony. Having a short fuse does not help anyone see Christ in me. The verse says that the illumination is supposed to be for the benefit of all who are in the house. Ouch!

Maybe temper isn't your firecracker problem. Perhaps you are the kind of Christian who shines brightly on Sunday when you're at church but shows no discernable light the rest of the week. About the only way anyone would know you are a Christian is if they happened to see you sitting in the pew. Then the analogy to the firecracker for you is that your light only appears before an audience. Your fuse is lit for a temporary Sunday performance. There is no consistent light shining in your life throughout the rest of the week.

There are probably many analogies to illustrate how our testimony can more closely resemble a firecracker than a candle. Repentance always needs to be the result when we allow our light to be hidden.

Let's resolve not to be firecrackers that put on a good show for a short time, make a lot of noise in the process, but ultimately leave a lot of smoke to hinder progress as we quickly burn out. The world needs reliable candlelight in dark times.