Proverbs 31:18 Still broadcasting, or, a candle in the window

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

We just had a verse about getting up early, and preparing for our day....did you think when you read this one, that you have to stay up late, too? Ouch!

Don't worry, that is not where we are going . . .

Are you like a radio station? Or, as the title suggests, are you like a candle in the window? Hold on, I'm not as wacky as you may think . . . let's dive into this verse!

When I was little, I was fascinated on our road trips (we took quite a few) by the tall radio towers that I would see. They were not very noticeable during the day, but at night they twinkled with lights. Our parents would tell us that the lights were to keep airplanes from hitting the towers in the darkest nights; the lights would tell the pilots where the towers were, so that they could avoid them. With a history in amateur radio, our dad would tell us that they served another purpose as well. They indicated that the radio station had a power source for its antenna, and that it was broadcasting its signal into the night.

Nowadays, satellite dishes are utilized by radio and television stations to broadcast their signals, but the concept is just the same. A reliable system is needed to broadcast the information that needs to be shared; day and night, the signal waves must go out.
In today's application of this verse in Proverbs, I was reminded of our responsibility to "broadcast" the message of God's Word to those we love and care for. Those we minister to are in need of His guidance and love, and sometimes we are the only means of conveyance of that important information! We need to be reliable.
We can help those that we minister to in three ways -- first, we can provide casual, yet challenging and deep spiritual truths that our loved ones and friends can apply to their own lives. No "dignified and formal" here, and no need for preachiness.
Second, we can offer them down-to-earth, relevant Biblical principles in smaller, bite-size pieces. We don't need to offer a complete study on an issue, when a person needs a short but encouraging talk. We can keep things down-to-earth, and not overwhelm a friend or neighbor with terms they don't yet understand.
Finally, we can offer real-life solutions for very real struggles they are facing in the midst of their busy days.  The most inspiring and motivating words that we can give are the heartfelt truths that we may have learned while we faced a situation similar to where they find themselves.

Another application of this verse is that of the old adage, "Put a candle in the window for me." In olden days, if it was stormy or if it was a moonless night, someone who needed to leave the warmth and comfort of the fireside would ask someone who remained behind, to put a candle in the window.  As they trudged back to the cabin after completing their chores, the light from that candle would shine through the darkness or through the storm, and guide them back to the security and warmth of home. We can be just such a candle to someone -- if we stay "lit" and keep sending out a light that they can see. They can see us, and come back to the security and warmth of His love.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.  II Samuel 22:29