There is a story about a Sufi master who once set himself up at a crossroads. He lit a very bright lamp and a distance away, a candle. Then he sat by the candle and read his book. People watching him were confused. Why didn’t he read by the bright light? The bright lamp, he explained, attracted all the moths, leaving him to read in peace!

In the world we live in today we are like the moth attracted to the bright light. There are many distractions and so many things to do. Often we’re trying to keep up, the pace is hectic and we often miss out on the quiet and peaceful moments that pass us by. These quiet moments are represented by the candle in our story.

There is definitely a recent swing towards the candle in our story. Mindfulness is the new buzz word, but mindfulness was present thousands of years ago. The writers of the psalms knew exactly what it meant. The most famous mindful quotation comes from Psalm 23: “Near restful waters God leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.”

The quieter moments represented by the candle may not make the headlines or be the brightest of lights but it is often a good place to be. Another way of describing the candle is a moment in prayer. Any quiet moment in prayer is always a good place to be, it nourishes our soul and spirit. Which appeals to you more, the moths next to the big bright light or the quiet space created by the candle?