A Shining Light

"A friend loves at all times and brothers are born for trials." (Proverbs 17:17)

When Jane entered Lowood school she needed one thing: a friend. True, she needed acceptance and academic training, but she needed a companion who would do more than accept her--she needed to be loved. And for this need Bronte creates a shining light: Helen Burns.

I find it interesting that Bronte chose to name this deep, insightful character Helen Burns. Up to this point, Jane has lived in a world of darkness and despair. What light has shined in her life is faded or a cheap reflection. But Helen is a true light, just as her name suggests. She shines through the darkness of Jane's former and current surroundings burning truths of Scripture into the poor orphan girl's empty, dark soul.

From the start Helen admonishes Jane to "Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how he acts; make his word your rule, and his conduct your example." The light that shines within Helen is not produced out of her own good works. Helen shines because she reflects the perfect light of Christ.

Throughout the few, short chapters in which Helen is mentioned, Jane finds herself surrounded by warmth and honesty. A fire in Miss Temple's room is a physical picture of the warmth Jane feels in the company of Miss Temple and Helen. Jane remarks that "I never tired of Helen Burns; more ever ceased to cherish for her a sentiment of attachment . . . How could it be otherwise, when Helen, at all times and under all circumstances, evinced for me a quiet and faithful friendship, which ill-humor never soured, nor irritation ever troubled?" How many of us could say that we have a friend like that? How many of us are a friend like Helen Burns?

Helen's static, deep character is discussed briefly in comparison to the expanse of Jane Eyre, yet, both times I have read it I believe I've wished to be more like Helen than any other character. Oh, that my life would be a living testimony to others. Oh, that I would graciously accept criticism in order to be perfected into the image of Christ.

Oh that I may be a Helen Burns--a shining light burning forth for Christ.