Thursday, December 22, 2011

Keep Your Oil Lamp Filled

     The other night I had a dream about my mother. I don't remember all the specifics. It seems she was visiting with other blind friends. (I recognized them as being people I'd met as a child) Anyway when they left there were a couple of white canes left behind. A white cane is used by a blind person to sweep the area ahead of them to see if there is anything in their path they could stumble on. Mom used hers when she walked alone or with others who weren't experienced sighted guides. I was trained at a young age so she never used her cane when she was with me.
     I don't put much store into dreams. But this one got me wondering. What is a cane used for and how does that apply spiritually? As I said above the cane is used to check for hazards in the path ahead. Looking up stumble in my Strong's Concordance I found references to walking in light and stumbling in darkness. Thinking about light led me to oil lamps. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV) Oil lamps need to be filled to provide light. I believe we keep our lamps filled by being in the Word and through prayer. 
     In this season that celebrates with light and celebrates The Light I hope you don't get too busy to keep your lamps filled. Merry Christmas.

2 comments:

  1. when I read this, the first thought that came to my mind about the cane, was the resemblance to the shepherd's hook-- staff and how the shepherd uses it to guide and correct. Does thinking of it in those terms open up some other insights to a spiritual meaning? It does for me. Merry Christmas Lisa-- many many blessings!

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  2. Heard the connection before but unless they're also for walking support canes for the blind are straight so I never thought about the hook.

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