Fire, Burn Bright!

What do you love about a fire in the backyard pit or stove?

I love the cozy feeling.

The warmth.

It presses back the darkness.

It gives light to what would otherwise remain hidden--like scary things in the woods.

And it draws me like a magnet.

Let the lights go out in a classroom or group gathering and the one person holding a flashlight or candle suddenly becomes everyone's friend. We want the light. In the night when I wake up and hurry to the bathroom, or into the kitchen for a snack, my hands search for that light switch. I need the light! I want it.

Similarly, a fire draws me. When we have a fire in our backyard pit, I want to hold my hands out to it and feel the warmth on my skin. Even if it isn't a cold day, I sit close.

Just like I'm drawn to a physical fire, I'm attracted to the idea of God's fire burning deep within. When I see someone who's filled with the presence of the Lord, radically different, there's a glow on his or her face, an unquenchable fire, a light spilling all over everyone in the room. I love that! Light and fire. Fill us, Lord! Set us on fire. Set me on fire! A consuming fire of love, a heart filled to overflowing with passion and dedication to the things that matter to the heart of God.

"Darkness to light; resplendent with light; wraps himself in light; light for my path; a great light; light of the world; shine in our hearts; wonderful light; God is light."

One time we were driving a long distance at night through a world of darkness. Suddenly a city came into view, sparkling like a Christmas tree with radiant lights.

It was our "city on a hill" moment. A light shines far in the darkness, but oh, how much brighter a city of lights shines.

Or a fire in the distance.

We live in the country, and a logging company had been removing trees on the property next to us for a while. One night when we came home, the upper hillside was on fire! It burned hot, then smoldered for a month. But, oh, the glow in the sky, that was at first fearsome, began to shine like a beacon in the night, drawing us home.

Are we on fire for the Lord? Do our hearts burn within us, crying out "More of You, Lord! Change me and fill me with Your fire!"?

"A pillar of fire; my word like fire; tongues of fire; revealed with fire; God is a consuming fire; do not put out the Spirit's fire."

May we be a true city on a hill, on fire for God, burning for all to see. Then our marriages, families, churches, and neighborhoods will experience the great light of Jesus. An irresistible magnet, a glowing bush in the dark, shining into every dark corner of the world. A city on fire because all the hearts are on fire.

Let it begin in us.

Fire, burn bright!!

How's Your Kindling?

It's the season for fires—in my woodstove, of course. But on some days, I can't get the fire to blaze for anything. It smokes, bursts to life for a few seconds, then wimps out to nothing.

I add newspaper and kindling. I strike the match again. Wait. I blow and blow until my throat is raspy from inhaling smoke. Repeat the steps. Sometimes, I work at this for a half hour before giving up.

Frustrated, I know one thing . . . my kindling is wet or green. Dry kindling would change everything.

We've all seen news reports where a single match ignited an entire field or forest. How could that be when I can't even get a small fire to start in my woodstove? How could one match create a blaze big enough to consume everything in its path?

It all comes down to dry conditions. Hungry conditions. Sticks and tiny strands of grass are crisp and dry, ready for the tiniest flame to consume them. Wet wood equals smoldering and smoke. Dry kindling, empty of water, seasoned, hungry, is ripe for bursting into flame.

Oh, may my soul be in such a condition!

Do I really want to be dry and empty? Yes! A thousand times yes! Empty of sin. Empty of self. Dried out from desires hindering my walk with the Lord. Seasoned with the Word of God. Seasoned with prayer. Dry in that I'm hungry and waiting and longing for a simple blaze to burst me into a flame of the very presence of God. A fire so strong it consumes sin and disease and the influences of satan. A fire of love so astounding it could change the world. My world.

I say, bring on the dry kindling and let's see what happens.