Mothers’ Union Lent Devotion 2022 – Wednesday 16th March, the Third Week of Lent

And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3. 18.

A candle flame is a truly amazing wonder of creation. It dances around with a beauty and vitality that is so much greater than the sum of its chemical processes. It brings light into darkness and warmth into the surrounding air. It moulds and shapes the surface of the candle as it melts the solid brittle wax. Turning lifeless cold wax into beautiful flowing soft shapes. A candle flame contains a whole variety of colours and shades which are hard to pin down on a colour chart. Burning with an intensity which we are unable to stare directly at for too long without it hurting our eyes. Lighting a candle brings such a wonderful range of observations all of which testify to the amazing transforming power of the living flame.

It is therefore not at all surprising that we use candles in churches and in our own private devotions at home to remind us of the living God. The one who gave us life, sustains our lives, and will ultimately transform our lives. A candle flame brings to mind all the glory of God, shining brighter than even the purest white, warming our hearts with the joy of faith, moulding our lives through perfect love. As we pray in the presence of a candle flame, we reflect on the transforming power of Holy Spirit. Recalling the flames that appeared at Pentecost, symbols of the transformation which reached deep into the very core of the gathered disciples.

That same transforming power of the Holy Spirit which today warms our hearts towards those we previously struggled to like, let alone love. The transforming power that helps mould the cold sharp edges of our personalities into soft smooth abundant human beings who behave towards others with boundless compassion and love. The transforming power which allows our Loving Lord to fashion us into disciples who can carry out his mission here on Earth. Helping people to seek the Kingdom so that the whole earth may catch a glimpse of the glory of God that we see reflected in our candle flame.

May we always invite and welcome God into our lives: to warm us, melt us, mould us, and transform us into people with hearts overflowing with love and peace.

With all my love and prayers for a continuing Holy and Prayerful Lent.

Revd Sandra