A Smoldering Wick

Dear Readers,

Sometimes I feel very dry and purposeless. I feel a lack of effectiveness in my home life, my work life, my church life, and my Christian life.

I see other people and they seem to be “on their way” to somewhere. It seems like they have the answers to the questions in their lives. But I just sit here, stuck in my rut.

Does anyone else feel this same way? Or am I in this boat alone? Also, is this boat we are paddling going to sink?

When I begin to feel this way a Bible passage often comes to mind that gives me both comfort and hope. It is a fairly obscure passage not often preached or talked about. It is a prophecy prophesied in Isaiah 42:1-4 and fulfilled in Matthew 12:18-21. The Matthew passage (NIV) is as follows:

18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope. (NIV)

The verse about the smoldering wick (v. 20) especially has helped me in times of discouragement. It tells me that Jesus understands me and my dry times. And He is extremely willing, able, and ready to fan the smoldering wick back into a flame.

See you next time,
Arlen