Living Lessons on IdentitySample

We see here that Jesus is the light of the world—but so are we. Both of us being light gives us another picture of our union with Jesus: He is the light—and we are the light because we are one. Here is a visual that will help you see this truth: 

Picture a candleholder that is made of three parts, just as we are: spirit, soul and body. There is the candleholder itself, (our body) which is sometimes plain, sometimes beautiful, sometimes ordinary, sometimes even ornate. Then there is the candle (our soul). The candle (our soul) sits inside the candleholder (our body). Each candleholder is different. Each candle is different. But there is one thing that is the same—the flame. The light is Jesus in union with our human spirit (the wick). When He shines through us—the candleholders—the light looks different—glowing and flickering through each holder in a unique way. We can see this in a room full of lit candles. The holders can be different colors, shapes, and designs, flickering in different shapes and making various shadows. But the flame is the same. 

This is a picture of how Jesus looks when living through us. He looks like the uniqueness of each one of us, diverse and different, while at the same time He will be like Himself, as we know Him and His characteristics from the Bible. Living through us will not only look like what we call spiritual things such as praying, witnessing, preaching and Bible reading. Jesus will live through us when we are washing dishes, changing diapers, working in our offices, playing together, going to school and any other activities we do. Secular and spiritual are the same to those who know union with Christ.

Picturing the candleholders brought me to a place of rest and self-acceptance, and made it easier to accept others. I realized that Jesus would look different through each person’s unique personality and body and that there was not anything wrong with me or others if we did not fit into some pre-conceived idea of what He should look like while living through us. No body-type or personality is better or worse than another. When the flame is lit, (and it never goes out by the way) He is living—living as us. The eternal flame made by Jesus in union with my unique candle sounds to me like the two, Jesus and I, are one.1 

Application: 

Is there anything about your “candleholder” or your “candle” that you are rejecting? Jesus made them for His glory and loves you just as you are. Talk to Him about your body and your personality. See how He wants to use you, to live through you, to love others, and to serve Him uniquely as no one else can. Let Him shine through your life and light up your world.

1 From Barbara Moon, Leader’s Guide to The Rest of the Gospel, page 24