{"id":3604,"date":"2019-09-05T23:18:17","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T23:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abidingfathers.org\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2020-12-14T12:44:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T18:44:43","slug":"matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abidingfathers.org\/matches\/","title":{"rendered":"Matches"},"content":{"rendered":"

Playing with fire<\/h3>\n

MATCHES \u2026<\/em>can be very useful and yet dangerous. They come packaged in boxes or folded packets. Some are wooden while others are simple cardboard. A few clubs or cafes put their logo on the packets and used for advertising. When I was a young boy, it was so much fun playing with them even though I had been warned by my parents not to. Boys will be boys! There were and are games you can play with them, unlit that is. One is matchstick puzzles. We used to play poker and use matches instead of money.<\/p>\n

Matches have an incendiary head on each stick. In order to light it, one must strike it across a rough, sandpaper-like surface (usually phosphorous compounds) generating heat that ignites the match head. All packages of matches come with a striking surface designed to best light the match head. It then starts burning, providing light and heat that can then be used for various purposes. Some would be\u2014lighting a gas stove or burner, gas grill, candle, fireplace or campfire; and even to provide light in a dark area. Believe me, none of them last long. The stick burns down, and your fingers start feeling the heat, prompting you to extinguish it, sometimes too late. OUCH!<\/p>\n

Also, when I was young, I watched my dad and granddads strike a match with their thumbnail holding it in one hand. Boy, I just could never get the hang of it. I broke a lot of matches trying. Like anything useful, people can use them to start fires and destroy buildings, homes, even vast forests. They are arsonists, very dangerous to life and property.<\/p>\n

Endurance and Perseverance<\/h3>\n

Joanne was lighting candles in our home the other evening. What \u2018struck\u2019 me (did you catch that) as I was reflecting on the matches was a significant life lesson. The match had to be scratched across the rough surface for her to light it. But when that is properly done, the match became useful for her purpose.<\/p>\n

As believers, we don\u2019t automatically become the \u2018light of the world\u2019. Jesus said we were, but I believe we have to endure and persevere through various rough issues in our lives for that light to be produced and seen. \u201cCount it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let\u00a0\u00a0steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(James 1:2-4 ESV<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Just like the match head has to be put through the striking process, so do we. Trials are God\u2019s proving and improving ground through which he refines us so our light may shine brightest. And \u2018the light\u2019 we will be projecting will be the Jesus in us. For he is just that.\u00a0\u2018Again Jesus said to them, saying, \u201cI am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life\u201d\u2019<\/em><\/strong>(John 8.12<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Light up!<\/h3>\n

Dads, are you modeling and teaching your children to \u2018follow Jesus\u2019? You don\u2019t want them walking in darkness. \u2018Light up\u2019 their world with the love for God\u2019s word, and give them a passion for prayer, and serving others. The current generations are proving to be entitled and self-centered, not other-centered. Demonstrate to them how to be Christ-centered. Then watch them \u2018light up\u2019 the world around them. Wouldn\u2019t that be special? And I just bet they in turn will pass this on to their children, which I don\u2019t need to remind you are your grandchildren.<\/p>\n

And you will have prepared them to endure, persevere, even prosper in the midst of the various trials they will surely face in life.\u00a0How does this \u2018strike you\u2019?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Playing with fire MATCHES \u2026can be very useful and yet dangerous. They come packaged in boxes or folded packets. Some are wooden while others are simple cardboard. 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