Candle Status

Remember the scripture mastery Matthew 5:14-16?  In it, Jesus says, "Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  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.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  In a recent BYU devotional, the speaker identified four conditions that our "candle" could be in, where our candle represents our testimony.



1.  Unlit -- Those whose candles are unlit are those who do not yet have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or those whose testimony has gone out.  It doesn't have to stay that way however.  When they come into contact with someone whose testimony is burning brightly, their own can also become lit.
2.  Lit, but hidden -- There are those whose candles are lit, but who intentionally hide them, or "put [them] under a bushel" if you will.  Perhaps they've been offended by the Church in some way and so they've distanced themselves from it, or perhaps they pretend not to have a testimony in order to fit in with a certain crowd.  Whatever the reason, we know what happens to a candle that is covered up.  Very quickly, the flame weakens and eventually dies.
3.  Lit, uncovered, but not prominent -- Many faithful members of the Church fall into this category.  They have a testimony and they are not ashamed of it.  They live the Gospel and do the things that God has asked them to do.  However, they do not place their candles in a prominent location where others can see them.  While they do not intentionally hide their candles, neither do they openly show their lit candles to the world.
4.  Lit and prominent -- This is the condition that the Lord wants our candles to be in.  He wants them to be lit, uncovered, and placed where the whole world can see them; even "on a hill."  The purpose is not to boast, but to allow others to see the light from our candles that they may "glorify [our] Father which is in heaven," and be drawn to the light so that we can share it with them.  This is not just a job for missionaries.  We should all constantly be willing to share what we have with our friends and neighbors in whatever way we can in a spirit of love and humility.