Okay, I guess I never really thought about it much, but in my visual image of Matthew 5:15 I have seen a lamp by itself, shining bright. A single lamp, who’s light is so bright because it shines solitarily in the darkness. Nothing wrong with that. Pretty cool.

Matthew 5:15 – “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Or Luke 11:33 – “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

Now I need to alter that image because of something that I read this morning:

“No candle which God lights was ever meant to burn alone.”
–J. C. Ryle

For me, that means He is helping the candle burn bright and long. A little different than my image a candle out there against the elements. Fearful of that strong wind that might snuff it out. Or afraid that it will grow dim as time goes by. For others it may mean the association with other candles. Strength in numbers. Either way, pretty cool.