The Real Thing
One thing that’s handy is these little battery powered votive tea lights. Have you used them? I have a variety of decorative candle holders around the house at Christmas, which require candles to be placed in them. These battery powered tea lights are safe and convenient and give the appearance of a flickering candle.
There are a couple of things about this artificial light, however, that are not like the real thing. For one thing, it’s not that bright, and for another, it doesn’t “dance” like a real flame does. Even though it gives the appearance of movement, it’s cycling through the same “flicker.” Real flames get bright for a bit and then wane and get bright again, but this imitation light is just that – a copy.
I started thinking about how counterfeit things are like that. They have an appearance of the real thing, but in essence are very different. The things the world has to offer are so often just that – counterfeit to the real peace and contentment we can have and know. Happiness is a counterfeit for joy, pleasure a counterfeit for peace. Activity can be a counterfeit for true purpose, and recreation a counterfeit for contentment.
Like the artificial light, these things are not wrong in themselves, but pale in comparison to the things of the Spirit, which bring true life and peace. The “real” light will illuminate our purpose and move our hearts toward Himself.
Romans 8:6
“The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Life By The Way 