Choosing to Light a Match
Have you ever found yourself spinning your wheels, caught in a cycle of frustration as you focus on everything that’s going wrong? Maybe it’s the circumstances that feel out of your control, the weight of unmet expectations, or the exhaustion that comes from looking at a world that feels so full of darkness. We’ve all been there. But as I reflect on the words of a simple song lyric—"I’d rather strike a match than curse the dark"—I’m reminded that God calls us to take a different approach.
It’s easy to curse the dark. It’s easy to focus on the negative, to dwell on the struggles, or to get lost in the "what-ifs" and "why-nots." But where does that leave us? The truth is, when we choose to focus on the dark, we’re not just stuck—we’re blind. Blind to the goodness of God, blind to the opportunities for growth, and blind to the light He’s called us to carry.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who faced overwhelming darkness but chose to strike a match instead. Take Paul and Silas, for example, who were imprisoned in the darkest of circumstances (literally and figuratively). They could have cursed their situation; instead, they chose to praise God. And what happened? Their praise lit a match that not only broke their chains, but also led others to salvation (Acts 16:25-34). That’s the power of focusing on God’s light instead of the darkness around us.
When we shift our mindset from the negative to the positive—from the impossible to the possible—we’re aligning our thoughts with God’s truth. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This verse is a reminder that what we choose to focus on matters. Our thoughts shape our reality, and when we focus on the good, we create room for God’s light to shine through.
Striking a match might feel small in the grand scheme of things, but don’t underestimate its impact. A single match can light a candle, ignite a fire, and push back the darkness. Similarly, a single thought rooted in God’s truth can shift our perspective, change our attitude, and lead us to action. Instead of dwelling on what isn’t working, ask yourself: What’s one good thing I can focus on today? What’s one small step I can take to reflect God’s light in this situation?
When we choose to focus on the good, we’re not ignoring the reality of life’s challenges. Instead, we’re choosing to see those challenges through the lens of God’s power and promise. It’s not about pretending the dark doesn’t exist; it’s about refusing to give it the final say. It’s about saying, "God, I trust You to be the light in this situation," and then taking a step of faith to strike that match.
So, the next time you’re tempted to curse the dark, remember that you carry the light of Christ within you. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” You have the power, through Him, to illuminate even the darkest of places.
Let’s be people who strike matches, who choose hope over despair, faith over fear, and action over inaction. Let’s be people who light the way for others to see God’s goodness and glory. After all, when we focus on what could be rather than what is, we make way for something so much bigger in our lives: the transformative power of God’s light.
Today, what match will you strike?
