Audrey stared into the flickering flame. Black soot marred the candle, and the wick curled over. Wax dripped down the sides of the candle, the drips forming intricate patterns. It was mesmerizing. She broke away from the candle and checked her watch. Dana should be here by now, but having a few moments to herself was a luxury she rarely allowed, so there was no rush.

Five minutes later, Dana slid into the booth across from her. “Hey. Sorry I’m late. I couldn’t get Hercules to come inside, and it’s supposed to rain.”

Audrey smiled at her dear friend. “Sometimes I wonder who’s the dog and who’s the owner in that relationship.”

Dana grinned back. “Oh, he’s definitely the dog, but he’s the master as well.” She picked up her menu, gave it a quick once-over, and set it back down.

Audrey shook her head. “Let me guess. You’re having chicken Marsala.”

 “Hey, if you know what you like, why not get it every time?” Dana shrugged. “So, what’s going on with you?”

Audrey fiddled with her straw. “I’m not sure. I’m feeling unsettled. Earlier in the year, I was extremely busy, but lately, several opportunities have fallen through.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I was supposed to go on that mission trip to Brazil, but they ended up having too many volunteers. Since I was the last one to sign up, they asked me to withdraw my application. And I didn’t get the promotion at work. That job would have given me a lot more responsibility and required a lot of extra hours. But now I’m not sure whether I should stay there or look for another job.”

Dana studied Audrey. “I think you’ve been taking on too much. Maybe this is God’s way of getting your attention.”

“What do you mean?”

“The mission trip would have been meaningful, but it might not be the right time right now. And it’s possible God has different plans for you with your career. When was the last time you simply sat in God’s presence?”

Audrey was silent for a moment. Hadn’t she just been thinking she hadn’t had time to herself for a while? “I’m honestly not sure.”

The server came and took their order, giving Audrey a much-needed distraction from the self-contemplation. When the server returned with a basket of bread, Audrey selected a slice and slathered it with fresh butter. When she glanced back up, Dana was watching the candle flicker.

“This wick needs to be trimmed.”

Audrey blinked. “What do you mean?”

Dana pointed at the candle. “See how the wick is bending? The flame is smoky and consuming itself instead of burning cleanly. It makes the candle burn unevenly.”

“I never heard of that. What happens if you trim the wick?”

“The flame will actually get brighter. The candle will burn cleaner and not build up soot.” Dana took a sip of her water. “Maybe that’s what God is trying to do with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes God needs to trim our wicks as well. In this season of your life, maybe He doesn’t want you living the life you’d need to live if you got that promotion. He has a reason for not wanting you on that mission trip. You said it yourself–you haven’t spent time with Him lately.”

Audrey glanced up as the server set a salad in front of her. As she drizzled on the dressing, she considered Dana’s words. “So you think God is cutting things out of my life to force me to spend time with Him?”

Dana frowned and set down her salad fork. “No, it’s not like that at all. God will never force you. That’s not how He works. God wants you to spend time with Him because He loves you and wants to be with you, but also because He knows that’s what is best for you. He knows you’d do great things on the mission trip, but what if He needs you home during that time for a reason? He didn’t give you the promotion, not because He doesn’t want you to succeed, but because His measure of success for you looks different from the world’s measure. You’re making a difference where you are now, and that new role would take you away from the work you’re doing so well.”

Audrey swallowed a bite of salad. “I never thought of it that way. I was feeling rejected, both by the church and by my boss, but this is a completely different perspective.”

Dana straightened. “Don’t take it as a rejection at all. Take the gift of time that God has given you and use it to speak with Him to learn what He wants for you at this time of your life.”

A sense of peace washed over Audrey. “Thank you. I think one of the ways God is trying to shape me is by giving me such a wise friend.”

Dana grinned and reached into her purse. She pulled out a tiny pair of fingernail scissors. Glancing around and finding no one watching, she snipped the candle wick in two, catching the blackened tip in her napkin. Almost at once, the flickering flame stilled and burned brighter than before.

Audrey stared into the flame. God could use her to burn bright after all.

John 15:1-2

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

God, sometimes our lives get cluttered with things You don’t want for us. Help us submit to Your “trimming” so we can focus on the path You’ve set for us. You created us with a purpose and uniquely gifted us to fulfill that purpose. Even if it may be painful, please help us understand that when You remove things from our lives, You are doing it to help us fulfill our calling and to help us shine brighter for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.