Cold Wax

My husband found an adorable little gallery in a small town down the road from us. Beautiful, handmade gifts line the shelves, with stained glass suncatchers painting colors all over the room. Before we left, we bought two soy candles that boasted of air-cleaning capabilities on the sign above them. He picked his favorite scent, a pumpkin spice candle, and I chose orange clove. Of course, since I am the house candle burner, mine has gotten a lot more use. Finally, its wick burned out, even though the candle is still half full of wax. Since I do not have a candle warmer handy, it is waiting uselessly on the counter offering no air cleaning and no beautiful fragrance. Wax only works when it is warm.

The cold wax illustration caught my attention because our church is planning a Revival meeting next week. Honestly, the thought of an extra two services squeezed into an already full week did not appeal. Then Jesus’s words to His disciples began playing in the background of my thoughts.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:12

The play on words made me smile, and then it made me think. If going to church an extra two evenings next week is a chore, is my “wax cold?” The conviction of the Holy Spirit rarely stops with the first question, and this was no exception. Here are a few more that needled my spirit this morning:

Why am I so rankled by the political opposition?

Why am I so disappointed with the decisions of those who are supposed to be my political allies?

Why am I so quick to frustration with the other drivers on the road?

When is the last time I gave someone a personal invite to church outside of tucking a tract into a tip folder at the restaurant?

The list could go on but now I am telling on myself. My wax is most certainly cold.

It’s not giving out an inviting fragrance. It’s not shining much light to those around me. It’s not doing much because wax only works when it’s warm.

I need to give the Holy Spirit His wick back. In other words, my focus on the temporary doused His drive for the eternal, and He let me have my way. I really hate it when He does that.

I am looking forward to our church’s Revival next week, but thankfully, a personal revival started this morning. No one must wait to go to church to repent of a cold, apathetic heart. There is no time like the present to ask the Lord to “warm your wax” again.

Here are a few verses that reminded me just what a fervent love looks like.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:7-10

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:10-13

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

I sure hope your wax is burning brightly and radiating fragrance all around you. If it’s gone a little cold, no worries, friend. We have a God ready to ignite our cold hearts the minute we acknowledge our need to Him. Why not right now?

Have a blessedly “warm” weekend, my friends!

Erica B.