Lighting the Next Candle

Christmas Eve.  The day brings lots of memories, celebrations, and traditions.  Hopefully, it is still fresh with positive memories as we start the year.

A tradition in our church – and many others around the world – involves lighting candles.  Everyone walking into the sanctuary receives an unlit candle as they walk in.  At the close, the room is darkened and several people walk the aisles touching their lit candle to first one in aisle.  They in turn light the candle of the person next to them and the step is repeated numerous times until the entire room is aglow symbolizing what Jesus's birth meant for the world.

The candle that starts it all off doesn’t lose any of it glow.  It didn’t shorten the time it stayed lit. It didn’t go out.  What did happen was that an entire room was lit with other candles capable of igniting another. 

This is also what happens when leaders look outward.  They look to build a sustainable future that it is not dependent on them.  They look to create others capable of igniting the vision and passion of another.  They know the room will be brighter because they shared their vision in a way that inspires others to action and empowers them to bring it to reality.  They share of themselves to make a difference.

As you start the new year, what are the skills, vision, knowledge and expertise you will pass on to key people in your organization?  Who are the people you want to ignite and inspire to make a difference?