Fanning the Flame
You know it when you see it, or maybe when you feel it. The warm glow of someone on fire for the Lord. The passion of a soul completely sold out for Jesus that could just about start a forest on fire. A radiant face shining with love and grace draws us in to the warmth of Christ’s love and the glistening truth of His Word.
So we stand around the fire, warming our hearts and souls, but then, we walk away, treading slowing back into our everyday routines and lives. We are drawn to the flames like moths, hovering around that electric personality, a pastor or a missionary with true vision for Jesus. We gather around the glow for a time, but the incessant ticking of the clock draws us back into the daily routines of life and away from the passionate fire of youth.
The flame, the gift of God’s grace poured out upon us (Ephesians 1:3-6), dims as we get caught up in busyness, paying bills and cleaning up messy houses. It’s still a nice candle flame deep inside, but the crackling bonfire…that’s something we only get to experience every once in a while. At a retreat, a baptism or a missionary conference-then the small embers burst into a roaring fire that we think could never grow cold. But fires are not self-sustaining. They need fuel to keep burning and they need oxygen to feed the flames and protection from the dousing of an unexpected downpour. Sometimes life is just a drizzle and keeping that flame going can seem like a chore that needs constant attention but other times the flame just about gets extinguished by the tragic hurricanes of life.
Have you ever seen a pine tree on fire? The flames will go 15-20 feet high as the fire hungrily devours dry needles and sap covered branches. This fire starts up quickly and rages dangerously, but almost as soon as it starts, it fades away. The sap is consumed and the fire no longer has any fuel. A fire fed by the soft wood of aspen trees, however, will slowly build up heat and maintain a cozy glow if new wood is carefully added regularly to the white hot coals. A good fire is started with a teepee of kindling, a match and a burst of air. This quick fire starter will not continue, however, without hard woods lighting and burning into red glowing embers.
In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul tells Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God. How do we keep this flame burning bright and strong despite daily demands and the damp chill of an ordinary life? We breathe the breath of heaven upon our souls just as God breathed life into Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:7). We breathe in deep the life of Christ in us…through prayer, seeking God’s Spirit and yielding to His work in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to pray continually, as if prayer were our breathing in and out. The breath of life to keep the flame burning in our souls.
We must add fuel to the fire regularly or else the fire will die down. A little kindling Bible reading once a week will not feed a bonfire but regular, constant logs of truth will keep our passion burning bright.
May we be on fire for God and may we fan the flame of His gift in us every day!
Heather
You have inspired me today! Thank you!!!
What a powerful message, Heather. You are right we need to feed on His Word on a regular basis. Thank you for the reminder.