HOLD THE CANDLE HIGH

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I woke this morning with this melody playing through my heart … a song that I have not heard or sung for many years - 23 years ago as a new believer. I kept hearing its words “hold the candle high” … and thoughts of Chanukah came pouring into my heart. I soon found the lyrics and began to sing it until I realized that I was singing this song like a prayer urgently pouring from the depths of my heart … a prayer for the broken-hearted, for those who feel alone and isolated especially over the holidays when families and friends will be gathering. A prayer for the lost who are sat in darkness, wondering where G-D is and if He really does exist? And as I am writing, I look again to see that my hearts cry is really for every Jew and every gentile who will be grafted into Israel … that they will Truly become One New Man and finally find their way HOME!! That the G-D of Israel will open the eyes of the blind, unblock the ears of those who cannot hear, unlock the door for all those who are imprisoned from within … give back the voice to those who have been silenced ... give back expression to those who have been bound ... set His people FREE that they may serve the One True Living G-D ... soften the stony hearts and make them flesh … that He will be our G-D and we will be His people … a light shining like a city upon a hill!! “Yerushalayim O Yerushalayim …” my heart cries!!

I look to see the Shamash … the servant candle that lights every other candle on the Chanakiah. I looked and I saw Yeshua HaMashiach!! The One who came as suffering servant … BenYosef! The One who we cry out to COME and take His rightful place on The Throne as BenDavid! As we cry out to Him to come and take His rightful place on the throne of our hearts … that as we bow down low before Him, divided hearts would be made whole - made soft as flesh in His mighty Hand, but as strong as a weapon against the enemy's intimidation and threats - like the one small stone in David’s hand … ALL for His Kingdom plans and purposes! HIS VICTORY to be proclaimed, HIS NAME to be exalted and praised for all eternity!

As I am preparing to literally move house, all my things are boxed up and ready to go. I thought about this being the first time since walking this walk of loving obedience that I was not able to light my Chanukiah. I suddenly felt a reassurance in my heart as I began to pray with a different mindset from deep within. My prayer became that we would not simply light the Chanukiah because it is “just what we do” or “expected to do.” But that as we lift The Servant candle high, we would ask Him to ignite a flame within our hearts that can never be extinguished or snuffed out. That we would do these things with "genuineness of heart" and not a "did my part." And not just that we would hold that flame in our hearts to keep ourselves warm, but that we would then reach out with His servant heart to warm the hearts of others. That as we open the doors of our homes this Chanukah, that we would remember to open the doors of our hearts to those who are hurting and need love and reassurance, for those who need acceptance and belonging, forgiveness and reconciliation ... that we would all know the restoration power of HaShem ... SHUVU!!! That we would become like little sparks lighting up the night as we burst forth with the Light of Mashiach, allowing Him to be the light that shines through us! That the world around us would find that G-D has not abandoned us, but He is simply waiting for us to shine His Light and usher in the return of His people … ultimately the return of Mashiach! That He can welcome us and call us sons and daughters as we gather around His table with genuineness and joy in our hearts ... and PRAISE on our lips!! 

Have a blessed time everyone as we light the candles and allow Him to ignite us … from tiny sparks into a united flame!

Chag Chanukah Sameach!