Pools

 Wax has memory. When you burn a candle for the very first time, the liquid wax pool at the time the candle is extinguished leaves a decisive ridge. Every time you burn  the candle after that, the melted wax pool will never get larger than the imprint of the first burn. Memory.

If the wax pool is small, no matter how deep it gets, the full potential of fragrance release into the room is never realized. This may seem like a very small matter to you, but to candle snobs, it is very big indeed. I give or throw away candles I cannot smell. I purge them from my existence. They are frustrating reminders of a purchase gone bad.

I wonder if God is frustrated by our own small wax pools of influence? I mean, He created us, He knows our full potential, and He sees those of us who are flopping and floundering and drowning our purposes in tiny wax pools of doubt, indecision and fear. Some (not me) are working very, very hard. They are boldly making inroads into their destinies, using all of the natural talents God gave them. Some of those people are still burning small pools. "Wait a minute," you're now thinking. "I'm one of those people. I am accomplished. I am using my talents. I haven't hidden ANY in the ground." Good for you. Good for you.

I've come to realize that the large, fragrant wax pools come from vessels that are emptied out spiritually. Poured out on God's altar. In-filled daily with His anointing. Goes lots deeper than musical ability, writing talent, superior intellect. It has to do with being fully yielded to the Spirit. Trust me, I am only dipping my toe into these waters yet. I'm fully aware that I have, figuratively speaking "miles to go before I sleep," as Frost wrote in his epic poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." I'm a very tiny babe in these woods. I don't even want this emptying out and filling in to the degree that is necessary. I'll admit it intimidates my selfish flesh to a degree I cannot begin to describe.But I want to want it and I pray for the Spirit to make it my passion. To change me to the degree that I do not recognize myself at all. Only He can. Only He can. But it's possible. I know it is because I would not feel the unmistakable call if it were not. No.