Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtThe Candle of HopeIn the small coastal town of Willow Creek, life was never the same after Hurricane Leah roared through. Homes were in ruins, streets were flooded, and the once-vibrant community was now shrouded in darkness. Among the residents was thirteen-year-old Samuel, huddled in his grandmother Miriam’s kitchen, staring at the flicker of a single candle.“Grandma,” Samuel said, his voice heavy with sadness, “what’s the point of one tiny light? It’s so dark out there. It can’t fix anything.”Miriam leaned forward, her face glowing softly in the candlelight. “Samuel,” she said, “this candle may be small, but it’s more powerful than you realize. You see, this light isn’t just about what it does—it’s about what it symbolizes.”Samuel tilted his head, curious. “What do you mean?”With a tender smile, Miriam explained. “For centuries, God’s message to the world has been, ‘Hope is coming.’ Before Jesus was born, the prophets spoke of a Savior who would bring light to those in darkness. And when Jesus came, He brought that hope with Him. He said, ‘I am the light of the world.’”She held the candle higher. “Even now, Samuel, the message hasn’t changed. Jesus came to bring hope, and He’s coming back to complete it. Every time we see a light in the darkness, it’s a reminder: hope is coming, love is coming, redemption is coming. And those who see that light as the light of Jesus will have eternal life.”Samuel stared at the candle, a flicker of warmth igniting in his heart as her words sank in. “So this candle… it’s like a promise?”Miriam nodded. “Exactly. It’s a promise that no matter how dark things seem, God’s light can’t be overcome. His hope will always shine brighter.”“But that’s not all, Samuel,” Grandma continued. “For those of us who believe in Jesus and have made Him our Savior and Lord, the light isn’t just about our future with Him in Heaven. It’s about Him being with us always, even in these difficult times. That light represents hope in our prayers of faith—that He will find a way to help us in every situation. Right now, we don’t know what that help will look like, but that light represents our hope that God is our helper now and always!”Inspired by her words, Samuel jumped up and grabbed another candle from the shelf. “Then let’s share the light with the neighbors! Maybe they need to be reminded too.”Miriam’s eyes sparkled with pride. “That’s exactly what Jesus asks us to do—to let our light shine so others can see His hope.”The next morning, as the floodwaters began to recede, Samuel and Miriam ventured out with a basket of candles. They went door to door, handing them out and sharing Miriam’s message of hope. At first, the neighbors were hesitant. Many had lost so much and struggled to believe that brighter days would come. But as they lit the candles and watched the flames dance, a quiet shift began in their hearts.One woman whispered through tears, “I’ve been praying for a sign that God hasn’t forgotten us. Thank you for bringing this light.”By nightfall, tiny candles glowed in windows all over Willow Creek. The once-dark streets now shimmered with a quiet, radiant hope. Families gathered, sharing stories, singing hymns, and offering prayers. The community, though battered by the storm, began to heal.As Samuel and Miriam stood on their porch, watching the lights spread across the town, Samuel turned to his grandmother. “I get it now, Grandma. The candle isn’t just about the storm passing. It’s about reminding people that God’s love is still here and our hope and faith in His help is real. He will help us! That doesn’t just make the candle shine, Grandma. That makes me shine because it gives me hope and makes me happier!”Miriam rested her hand on his shoulder, her voice filled with emotion. “Yes, Samuel. The light of this candle is our hope in the light and love Jesus has for us. And His light will never be extinguished.” John 8:12 (NKJV): “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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