Have you ever done something a gazillion times, and one day suddenly see it in a completely new light? That was me this afternoon while I was putting out a candle on my desk. As I slid on the lid, I watched as the flame slowly died out, and I immediately sensed a life lesson was coming on.
I hopped on Google because I couldn't remember the science behind why the flame went out. I knew it had something to do with oxygen, but I wanted the details. What I found can be summed up in one simple sentence:
Running out of oxygen makes the flame go out.
That statement has weight behind it when I read it out loud. Mainly because I can relate to the whole sentence...running out of oxygen and my flame going out.
Like the candle, our inner spark, that zest for life, can fade due to life challenges or from not getting enough of what fuels us. Maybe none of this resonates with you today, but it’s definitely something we all experience at some point.
If you find your inner flame dimming, I have good news. You can revive your light and keep it from going out. You’ll just need to do some research of your own to understand what’s causing it.
Consider this: Are you allowing yourself enough space, both mentally and physically, to take a breather or are you constantly busy? Are your surroundings and habits nurturing you or stifling you? Are you giving your mind and body what it needs to thrive or settling with giving yourself enough to make it to the weekend? Is there someone or something dampening your spirit? And, last but most importantly, are you replenishing yourself before you’re running on empty?
I recently had to ask myself these questions and it led me to make a big, BOLD move. That story is for another day, but I highly recommend you screenshot the above questions and answer them later.
The point is, protecting our flame is a non-negotiable. It's not just about being an inspiration or feeling alive; I believe God uses our light to show us the path he created for each of us. When our light goes dim, it’s harder to see where we’re going and it’s easier to lose our way. We’ve got a legacy to build and a beautiful life to live, so if you've lost your way or feel like you're losing your spark, take this as a cue and reminder that it's never too late to light that fire back up!
Just something to think about…