Nov 17.98: Light For The Day - "Candlelight Wisdom"

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest."
-- Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

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While traveling in Finland, I appreciated the Finns'
lavish use of candles. They never treat them as
mere ornaments. Candles bring warmth and light
into their homes during short winter days. The Finns
know that a candle's purpose is missed unless it is
burned. But candles should burn at one end only --
a lesson I needed to learn. 

When my husband and I began our missionary work,
I longed to burn out for God. Within several years
I had burned out all right, but not for God. Mine was
a classic case of useless burnout, brought on by
many self-caused stresses. 

One night I hit rock bottom and discovered that the
rock was Christ. As He began teaching me 
dependence on Him for all things, the candle of my
life was relighted for His use. 

I now see a difference between so-called
"Christian burnout" and "burning out for God." 
Burnout stems from wastefully burning the candle of
our lives at both ends--hardly wise for candles or
Christians.

Burning out for God means our lives are spent
wisely in His service--an echo of Paul's testimony
in 2 Corinthians 12:15. Once used up for God, we'll
be raised up for heavenly service (Rev. 22:3). 
It is for this purpose we were made! 

-- JEY (ODB) 

Thinking It Over
What are you doing to serve God? 
Do you rely on His strength or your own?
Ask God to help you depend on Him in everything.
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"Return, O my soul, to your rest; 
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you."
-- Psalms 116:7 (RSV)