Trimmed Wick

Have you ever watched a candle burn for an extended period of time? Probably not. But you know that when you extinguish the flame a black, limp wick droops sadly to one side and there awaits the next time when a flame approaches. If you don't keep the wick trimmed, the wick gets longer and causes the flame to dance wildly around and test the limits of its container. Not good if you are a candle.

But, tonight I watch and wonder.

It's a pondering time of year for me. When I look back at the days behind and hope for better in the days called future.

And I can't take my eyes off the wick.

Probably because the days that are behind me are reminding me of my relationship with my God.

I've had a flame burning in my heart for Jesus since I first met Him. Honestly, there have been seasons of time when it has burned brighter than others. But, it's never been extinguished. Safe. Measured. Controllable. But, still a flame.

Ouch.

In my conversation about God, you would hear the marks of a woman of faith. But in the secret place of my soul, I have wanted a God I could predict, manipulate, control. A God who didn't ask me to do crazy things or abandon my reputation for His will. Just like the wick. I wanted to keep Him trimmed. Close. Within my comfortable boundaries.

But, tonight as I watch a flame dance wildly around the perimeter of a jar, I wonder if this is the freedom that I have been longing for. Is this the place where I don't have to understand every circumstance but choose to simply trust Him because of who He says He is? Is this the adventure I have been missing?

I can't help but feel that the answer is yes as a gentle wind blows through and the flame sways from side to side.

My will burns away when I refuse to trim the wick and let God do His work. His wild, extravagant work that I cannot contain...

I'm ready. Are you?