In ancient times, someone noticed that candles held up high extended the light further and made the room brighter. That observation led to an invention.
He (or she!) crisscrossed two small boards, fastened them together, hammered a spike through each of the four ends, and fixed a candle on each spike. Last he suspended the contraption from the rafters [1].
Perhaps something similar to this!
Voilà! The first chandelier was born.
Fast forward to the 1600s. Artisans began producing the first crystal chandeliers that reflected and refracted the light, creating more ambient light than candles alone, not to mention stunning beauty.
1600s rock crystal chandelier, from the Nethercutt Collection, Sylmar, CA
Some designers incorporated mirrors, increasing the luminosity even further.
Louis XIV of France famously ordered numerous chandeliers—forty-three of them—for the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Thousands of crystals maximized the light of approximately twenty thousand candles, which was also reflected in the 357 pieces of mirrored glass [2].
A chandelier offers us a radiant picture of the kingdom of God with the crystals and mirrors representing us. Just as a chandelier glorifies a room with its resplendent light, so we’re called to glorify GOD by reflecting his resplendent light to those around us [3].
But how do we do that? Consider these possibilities:
We Glorify God by Trusting Him (Psalm 147:11)
It must warm God’s heart when his saints keep returning to him for strength and comfort during a difficult season. Such people, calmed by the profound and inexplicable peace of God, stand in beautiful contrast to the angry or anxious around them.
We Glorify God by Enjoying Him (Psalm 96:6-8)
That enjoyment will surely create a noticeable glow of contentment on our faces, as we delight in his mercy, goodness, compassion, and more.
We Glorify God by Letting Him Love Us (Romans 8:35-39)
“Do you want to glorify God? . . . Let him love you. Receive his grace, drink it down, without adding one drop of your own goodness to it. Your very purpose in life and eternity is to be ‘to the praise of his glorious grace‘” (Ephesians 1:5-6).
Dane C. Ortlund, In the Lord I Take Refuge, 381.
We may know God loves us, but how often do we rest in his warmth, contemplating his love-gifts throughout the day, like:
- a multi-hued sunrise
- the cheery song of a cardinal
- a friendly wave from a neighbor
- an uplifting word of encouragement
- the long-awaited rain pattering on the roof
- a sweet memory that suddenly comes to mind and makes you smile
This is just a short-list of possibilities. God continually expresses his love. Receive it—no, better yet, revel in it and glorify him for his lavish demonstrations and the grace behind each one.
We Glorify God by Living His Ways (Matthew 5:16)
Years ago a church member told me she’d recently been driving along the main street of our neighborhood and caught up with a car going the speed limit.
“Who goes the speed limit these days?” She laughed and then continued. “But to be honest, I began to get frustrated, because I was in a hurry to get home! And then the car turned down your street and I could see who was driving–your son!
“Imagine: a teenager going the speed limit! I just had to tell you: he’s a good driver, even when he thinks no one’s paying attention.”
E. honored us, his parents, that day, by choosing character over convenience. But better yet he honored God. Without even knowing, he reflected the light of Christ and His character to that church member.
Now imagine the dazzling light-display we can create corporately to glorify God–as we all trust him, enjoy him, let him love us, and live by his ways.
Surely we can even outshine those chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors!
[1] https://chandelierrental.com/the-history-of-a-chandelier/
[2] https://artisanelevators.com/articles/palace-of-versailles/
[3] James 1:17; Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18
Image credits: http://www.flickr.com (2); http://www.pexels.com; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.stockcake.com.
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Such an encouraging post today. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Beth. Praise God you found encouragement here!
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Oh, what a glorious image of all of our individual lights joining together to give glory and honor to the Light of the World, Nancy! Your words here invoked the images of the recent vigils being held all over this country for Charlie Kirk who, I believe, has kindled a true revival in this land. May the light he shone for Jesus never be snuffed out. Blessings!
I can’t believe that chorus from our childhood didn’t come to mind as I worked on this post! Thank you for adding it to the conversation, Martha. I too pray for a great ripple effect from Charlie Kirk’s legacy. TPUSA has not slowed down one bit as a result of the tragedy two weeks ago. May the fruit of their efforts to share about Christ be multiplied!
I love the anecdote about your son. Character is indeed what we do when we think no one is looking. How often do we forget that God is always looking and that our character reflects His character to others?
Thank you, Linda. Of course E. wasn’t perfect, but that day he proved himself wiser than many of his peers. Yes, our Heavenly Father, our “Audience of One,” is always watching–a good truth to keep in mind. (Are you familiar with that song, “Audience of One” by Big Daddy Weave? It was popular, probably a couple of decades ago by now!)
No, but I bet I can find it on YouTube. 😉 Thanks.
I love the Ortlund quote, especially, “… drink it down, without adding one drop of your own goodness to it…” We prefer to do things our own way when we should simply be letting God help us do them his way. So simple yet so profound!
I loved that quote, too, Dave. Goodness is not what gets us into heaven; we can’t earn our way or try to make ourselves worthy of God’s love! Paul made it clear: It is by GRACE you have been saved, through FAITH–and this is not from yourselves, itis the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV, emphasis added). Praise God for such grace!
I love the analogy you write here and the parallel you drew to God’s light.
Thank you, Vicky. As always I much praise God for his inspiration. The analogy of a chandelier dropped into my mind one afternoon, via the Holy Spirit–no doubt!
and that light to the world is like a city on a hill…inviting
Oh yes–can you imagine a chandelier the size of a city?! 😁
May we shine with that much impact!
Lovely post, thank you!
Thank YOU, Dana! And praise God for his inspiration behind every post, right?
So right!
Nancy, I have seen those fabulous chandeliers at Versailles, they are breathtaking! We can outshine them if we allow God’s love to shine through us in a dark, dark world! Only light shuts out the darkness.
Amen, Pam! May we allow the great light of God to shine through us in this dark world, at every opportunity! Guide and strengthen us, Lord, to do just that.
Great thoughts, as always, Nancy. Your posts are filled with practical heavenly advice! Blessings to you and yours.
Praise God you find practical heavenly advice here! That warms my heart, David. Thank you.
This was SO encouraging! I just told Aaron the other day that light shines brightest in the dark as we drove by a restaurant with a gorgeous chandelier hanging for all to see from their foyer. And you have given us scriptural ways to shine bright for Christ in this ever darkening world. Blessings, my friend!
Thank you, Patty. May the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in our lives, and may we live with conviction and courage, so others come to know Christ!
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1: 5).
A perfect scripture to add to the conversation, Anna. Thank you!
I have two chandeliers in my home (even though they are not quite en vogue these days). I will never look at them the same way after reading your blog. It will remind me that I need to continually reflect the light of the Lord to those around me. I also have a “Jesus Ichthus” decal on the back of my car reminding me to be a courteous driver. I mess up sometimes in my life but I know when I ask forgiveness I have it from Jesus and I have it FOREVER. I may have a problem forgetting something I said or did but we are promised in Jeremiah 31:34: where the prophet writes “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more”. What a blessing!!!
Reminders are good! Not only do we want to be mindful examples of the Christ-centered life, it’s the best way to live for our own sakes. With you I praise God for his forgiveness when I fail!
Nancy, I sent you an email.
I received and replied, Cheri!
I enjoyed your commentaries on the historical history of the chandelier and the spiritual significance of light. May God’s pure and holy light shine upon you, Nancy. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. I DO feel God’s light upon me–in his blessings, peace, joy, and more. So glad you enjoyed this post–praise God!
Beautiful post, full of possibility and hope as we reflect on God’s perpetual love and light in our lives. God is our beacon of light and we strive to reflect that light in all that we do. Thank you for this wonderful post!!!
Amen, Linda–God IS our beacon of light! What a privilege he’s given us, to reflect his light to a hurting world.
Lovely! Thank you Nancy! Loved the message–loved the lights!
You’re welcome, Katie! It’s fun to work with analogies, to see what lessons God brings to my attention.
You are blessing many with your thoughts and writings–including me!! 🙂
Thank you, Katie. All I can say is, praise God for his inspiration! I know he’s behind every idea, every word.
Yes–He is–you are fearfully and wonderfully made! 🙂
Thank you, dear Katie!
Dear Nancy, thanks for the prompt to choose to enjoy God. I am loving His company in this season, the answers to prayer, the glories of nature, His kindness toward us even in hard times, the blessings of sweet solitude and stillness.
Thank You, Jesus.
Your inclusion of “even in hard times” indicate your deep faith, strong Christian character, and close relationship with God, Linda! Praise God for his peace that transcends our understanding, so we’re not blinded by difficulty, but can still see the good around us. Thank you for showing us the way!
love this image and wonderful symbol of encouragement!
Thank you, Jean! So glad you found encouragement here.
I love the quote by C.S. Lewis: “Fully to enjoy is to glorify. In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.” We have the choice daily to be the reflections of His light in and through us. What an astounding privilege. This was beautifully said, my friend. Choosing to do the right thing? Never easy.
Choosing to do right IS a challenge. Praise God we can turn to him in the moment and seek the help and fortitude we need! Frequent reminders and encouragement can keep us turned in the right direction.
Encouraging post! So thankful His light always outshines the dark!💖
Thank you, Alicia. Praising God with you for his light and inspiration behind this post (and all others, of course)!