better to light a candle

It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

I always thought that was from the Bible, but apparently it's not. The closest I could find was Jesus talking about not hiding a candle under a bushel, instead putting it on a candlestick. Still, it's a good philosophy for life.

The church is too often known for what we're against, rather than what we are for. I know the issues are complicated, but to me, denouncing what we are against sounds more like cursing the darkness than lighting a candle.

During recent days and weeks, we're heard a lot of cursing the darkness, whether it be speaking out against Democrats winning the election in the US, greed behind the financial crisis and that unfortunate Black Friday trampling death in Walmart, or the Coalition here in Canada. The media have certainly been quick to whip up fear with the constant barrage of negative news, providing yet further opportunity to curse the darkness.

I'm reminded of Jesus's words: "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone". In response, I have determined to do my best to light a candle.

Through a series of circumstances, I have come to the point of starting a business - in fact, it has now been incorporated for a week. This will be a "Kingdom" or "light a candle" business, doing the best it can to operate according to Kingdom or Biblical principles. This means being concerned for more than merely profit, but being servant-hearted in doing the right thing for all stakeholders: customers, team members, the environment, and return any financial blessing into Kingdom initiatives. I understand that's how corporations were originally conceived, but we've lost that in our "modern" day.

I know this is only one little candle, and may not make a huge difference on its own. But I can imagine the impact on our world if all of who align with the cause of Christ were to light a candle. It may be something as simple as $5 for two pair of shoes!