The High Cost of Shining

Shining is always costly.  Light comes only at the cost of that which produces it.  An unlit candle does no shining.  Burning must come before shining. We cannot be of great use to others without cost to ourselves.  Burning suggests suffering.  We shrink from pain..."The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today."  Many want the glory without the cross, the shining without the suffering, but  crucifixion comes before coronation.