“I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light” – John Keith Falconer
I love this quote.
There have been points of my life where I have envisioned myself as a candle burning brightly, willing to go into places the world would consider ‘dark’.
In fact, tomorrow I will be getting on a plane bound for Nepal. Two weeks of debrief and ministry with my World Race squad. Although I’ve never been to Nepal many of my friends adore the country and with only 0.45% of the country claiming Christianity as their religion it’s easy to label Nepal as the ‘mission field’.
Mission field.
A term that I’ve heard my whole life but I’m not sure we use correctly. You see, it’s easy to categorize Nepal, or any other country for that matter, as a mission field. A ‘land filled with darkness’. It’s on the other side of the globe, unknown and a mystery to the average American. A place where the people, customs and culture are different than ours, and perhaps in our subconscious we believe inferior.
Yet I’m not so sure I have to leave the USA to burn my light in a ‘land of darkness’.
I love the USA, and will always appreciate living here, but over the course of the last five years I’ve reentered this country from being abroad 13 times. Every time I come back through customs I get a feeling of home…but not necessarily of peace or light.
We have our flaws and struggles; it doesn’t take long looking at the news to see that. It’s just a little bit harder to face the reality of the need of Jesus in our own community, work environment, families and own life.
It’s easier to keep the idea of a ‘mission field’ as the country side of Nepal, or Kenya, or Colombia…a distance place where we ‘go’.
As I get on my flight to Nepal tomorrow I’ll be excited for what God has planned for the two weeks. Yes, it is a mission field. Yes, I get to share the love of Christ with people and burn as a light in a ‘land filled with darkness’. I consider it a blessing I have this opportunity.
On August 28th I fly back to America and my hope is that my approach stays exactly the same.
When I walk through the Atlanta airport I am entering a mission field. I get to share the love of Christ with people and burn as a light in a ‘land filled with darkness’.
So let us keep burning with passion, and seeking the lands of darkness in which we can shine….just don’t be surprised if it’s in our own backyard.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Daniel,
May your candle burn bright in Nepal! Safe travels!
Love this Daniel! Today my mission field is a nail salon where the nail technician said “You have a happy face.” That’s Jesus my friend! He’s with me wherever I go… Georgia, Virginia, Western Europe, South America or Asia 🙂
Good quote and a great sentiment – I agree!
Hi Daniel, glad to read your article.I am a Christian lady,Kenyan living in coast.I came to know about world racers a week ago, when a team of girls came to my shop to buy stuff.Lights went off and I offered to keep them safe in my shop as I put on my phones flash light.We got to share and a week later I invited them in my house to bake and watch movies together.I got to learn more of this and I have prayed and I feel led to be part of this .please advise.