The Almost Empty Matchbox

To what shall I compare the kingdom of God Today? It's like a brightly colored box of wooden matches which was almost empty.

One night when most of the remaining matches were fast asleep, three of them were quietly visiting with each other. "It's getting kind's a spooky in here," said the first match, "what with so many of our friends gone and no new ones coming to join us."

"More than spooky," replied the second match. "This place is getting the feel and look of a nursing home! Look around! Those of us who are left all have gray hair."

"You're only as old as you feel," the third match chirped happily.

To this the first match replied, "I'm not feeling old! I'm feeling lonely – especially with so few of us left on duty in here."

"Don't be depressed," replied the third match. "There are new young recruits coming to join us and our work. Not as many as before, true, but our heroic life still has great magnetic appeal. You just wait and see; things will change soon. It'll be just like the good old days!"

"From what I've seen of them new matches," replied the second match, "there aren't any real hotheads among them. They're just red caps, stick matches with big heads who enjoy hero status."

"Yeah," said the first match, "I say that you've got to want to burn if you feel you're called to be an incinerator. Few of those who have joined recently appear eager to burn themselves up for the cause."

"Well, I'm not all that eager to be called on either," said the second match, "at least not like I was when I first joined up. I'm hoping to get to retirement before I'm called on to go up in smoke."

“Retire!” snapped the third match. “How can you call yourself an incinerator and still talk about retirement? Especially when there are so few of us left? As for me, I signed on for life. Who could retire at a time like this?”

"Shush, you guys – be quiet," whispered the first match. "Hear that? The box is being opened, and you know what that means. One of us is going to be chosen." The three matches huddled as close as possible to one another with their eyes closed – praying.

– by Edward Hays

December 17, 2006