1. Of all metals in pure form, tungsten has the highest melting point (3,422 °C, 6,192 °F), it takes a lot of heat energy to destroy pure tungsten.
In the same way, the LORD has demonstrated that with him we can have the ability to withstand "Nebuchadnezzar's furnace". It shall not consume us though it heats us to the maximum capacity.
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 but even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18
2. Tungsten has also the highest tensile strength.(at temperatures above 1,650 °C).
In the same way, all those who are called to shine, are also endowed with strength.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
3. Once plugged in, the filament goes through the process of "resistance heating". Do not be alarmed by this electrical jargon. It just means that the tungsten filament MUST resist the flow of electrons. This resisting of electrons makes it hot, and glowing.
In the same way, as we resist every inclination to give in to the dictates of the world or the flesh and stay the course of obedience to who we are in the LORD, recognising we are made to shine, this will result in us getting heated up (but we can't melt because we are designed to have a very high melting point). We can then only shine.
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
4. The tungsten wire will give out light if it is thin. Thicker wires give dimmer light. Thickness (or wideness) is indicative of worldliness. Thinness (or narrowness) indicative of spirituality.
In the same way we are to choose the narrow road mindset. The world encourages shortcuts or the wide ways that might lead to underdeveloped characters.
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
and also Deut 23:15, Colossians 3:5
5. Surrounding environment of the tungsten filament inside the glass bulb, is filled with an inert gas, such as argon (earlier bulbs used vacuum instead). Inert gases or vacuum are non-reactive, and therefore preserve the purity of the tungsten filament.
In the same way, our environment must be one of purity (in thoughts, in actions, in speech) if we are to shine.
8Finally, brothers, 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. Philippians 4:8
6. The existence duration of the bulb from the time it was purchased and switched on to the time it is replaced, ranges from 9 months to a year depending on usage. But this existence or calendar duration of the bulb is not more important than its purpose. Purpose and not existence determines its value. A bulb shining the home is better off than a brand new bulb in the shelves.
In the same way we started living our purpose, the moment the LORD came into our life. Mere existence brings death, but purpose gives life...even life eternal, once plugged to the source. Therefore we need not fear the fading of “existence”. I still remember my gasoline lamp because it lighted my room while I did my study for the decisive O level exam. How much more precious are human beings than bulbs to be remembered? History is replete with souls that shone and continue to be remembered. But our consolation in shining is not in being remembered on earth per se, but in what Jesus said:
26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:26 and also Psalms 23:4
7. The bulb won't give light unless it is connected to a power source.
In the same way we need to be plugged in to the power source, our LORD, as a necessary requirement to shine.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6
It took a lot of hard work and patience for Thomas Edison to develop the light bulb, but he eventually became a household name in the lighting industry. In the same way the LORD is patiently shaping and forming us, moulding us into the likeness of His son, that we may shine. In our individual lives, in the journey of Unidus community centre and beyond, we are called as clay to submit to the mouldings of the potter
15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:15
Sharing by Bro.Ronald Elunai
