“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness” is a Chinese proverb that encourages us to take action about a problem rather than complain about it.  Why do we find it easier to complain rather than to rectify the situation?  Often times we don’t want to take responsibility, our attitude is to let someone else take care of it.

We see the truth of this proverb reflected in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians,

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.   (Philippians 2:14-16)

Jesus likewise encourages us to,

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:16)

Did you notice that we have a responsibility to let our light shine before others and that this brings glory to God?  It’s easy to complain when things are not going well – the challenge is take action and become part of the solution.  Socrates said, “Let him that would move the world, first move himself.”  The words of Edmund Burke are a solemn reminder that we have a responsibility to light a candle, “All that is  necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”