For Show or for Blow?
Something said in a sermon the other day made me think of a phrase my Grandma used to say. She would refer to things that were decorative as, “for show, not for blow.” She would explain that, in the “olden days” that seemed so recent to her, one would have fancy handkerchiefs for special occasions, and practical handkerchiefs for everyday use. One would of course, never use a frilly handkerchief for blowing one’s nose—hence, they were for show, not for “blow.”
I suppose a modern-day equivalent might be candles. Some candles are decorative, beautifully molded or colored—so beautifully, it almost seems wrong to use them. So, they sit on a shelf. They have the look of a candle, the material of a candle, but don’t perform the function of a candle. They are just for show, not for burning.
And then there are candles meant for use. Plain, practical, designed to give off light or heat or perhaps an aroma. They are candles, like the decorative ones, made of the same material, but these fulfill their design. They are available and fit for use.
You have probably caught the analogy by now: As Christians, we are often content to sit in our comfortable spot on the shelf, unwilling to be put to use. We spend our time or efforts on “looking” like a Christian, and as such, we may be admired or praised for our outward “Christianness,” but when God calls us to something uncomfortable, or asks us to sacrifice self in obedience to Him, we find that the outward exterior we have so carefully been protecting can’t stand up to the fire of real Christian “work.”
But God does not call us to be candles on a shelf. Here is what Jesus had to say about it:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5;14-16)
In Jesus’ day, a decorative candle would have probably seemed like a ludicrous idea. Candles, or oil lamps, which is what the Greek word refers to, were their main source of light. As such, they were valued because of their usefulness.
After all, we don’t usually keep lightbulbs on our shelves as decorations—we install them into a lamp and let them do their work!
Dear Reader, when people look at you, are they impressed with you? Are they in awe of your external “Christianness?” Or do the things you do, your actions, attitudes, and habits point instead to your Heavenly Father? Are you reflecting His light, or trying to make your own?
Let’s ask God to make us Christians who are for “blow,” not for “show!”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”1 John 3:18