Fire is a fascinating thing. There is more than one kind of fire. Physical burning of wood and natural gas can help you cook or it can destroy a forest or homes. Fire is powerful and can be used to benefit us when harnessed or destroy when it is not.
There is also spiritual fire that is birthed in us through God. It looks a lot like passion, but it can be more. When someone is filled with the Holy Spirit and has a clear calling and passion they often stand out. Some have special callings that make them easily noticed.
I think of John the Baptist who was the voice crying in the wilderness. He wore burlap, did not cut his hair and ate honey and locusts. Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet did all kinds of crazy things because God was using him to get the attention of the Israelites so they would return to Him. Some are called to do out of the ordinary things. That number is small and God uses them in extreme cases when “normal” doesn’t work anymore.
Then there is the fire of the Holy Spirit that burns brightly and consistently in those who walk faithfully with God. These people learn to maintain the fire through building a relationship with God. My personal prayer is to be that kind of follower of Jesus. I am in process. I have burned out in the past because I did not understand the love of God.
When I was looking for somewhere to belong, I made the mistake of letting other people or groups define me. It is very uncomfortable trying to be someone you are not or consistently doing what you were not good at. It is a recipe for burnout. Over time I began to find people who helped me find the authentic me. They led me to the love of God.
All of the previous failures and difficulties were part of learning who I was not. Those things were also cause for me to forgive many people, including myself for playing along with the lies. I had to forgive God too. God did nothing wrong, but that did not stop me from blaming and being angry at God. I did a lot of letting go.
The amazing thing is that for everything we let go of and give to God, He wants to give us good things in exchange. Abba loves it when we give Jesus the hurts. He welcomes the negative emotions and physical problems that can develop from living out of sync for extended periods. Giving them away opens space for His good gifts to fill the new voids.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13
It is the Holy Spirit living freely in us that lights us up like a fire. As we give things to Jesus, exchanging them for His good gifts, we become more and more who we were made to be. We also receive God’s power over those things we give to Jesus. In turn we are able to comfort and help others overcome the same things. All they need to do is give the negatives away to receive freedom and fire. 2 Corinthians 1:4
I see more fire on the horizon of each reader’s life who is hungry for the true love of God. What problem or negative emotion is Abba asking you to give to Jesus today? After you give it away, ask what Abba wants to give you in exchange… today.
