Do you have a strong desire to be a roaring fire of God?!
The Christian writer Oswald Chambers continues to touch thousands of lives almost 100 years since his publications. It has been said, “His life was a well laid fire on which…..the flame of God fell with such abiding effect.” Oswald Chambers by Lambert
This intrigued me to research how to build a fire.
A ROARING FIRE BEGINS WITH A FIRE BED!
“You must first rake away and dig until there is nothing left but the bare earth. And after you have cleared the area, it’s time to make your fire bed.” How to Start a Campfire by Jeff Adams
Have you found that place of nothing left? How bare is your fire bed? That pure, defenseless place that provides total freedom and acceptance only because of forgiveness found through the blood of Jesus Christ. That is the fire bed needed to start a roaring fire of God! Is that a familiar bare place? Or is it covered with thick self-justification of all you do for God? Perhaps it smothered with feelings of unworthiness? How often do you return to that needed raked away place? I revisit that place of gratitude often. And I find I have to rake and dig deeply when I feel numb or my soul is in need of decluttering. Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
TINDER
“Every good fire starts with good tinder. Tinder catches fire easily, but burns fast: wood shavings, dry leaves, dry grass.”-Jeff Adams
Our emotions, like tinder are so necessary to start a fire of God. And yet we often don’t take the time or effort to share them with our heavenly Father. It takes courage and it takes time. May I challenge you to put forth the necessary effort to lay your tinder of joy, fear, hopelessness and need before your Father God? His desire is for you to lay your dryness, your weariness out before Him. “Come to me….” Mathew 11:28
KINDLING
“To build a good fire one needs something of substance to keep your flame going. You can’t move directly to big logs. You’ll just smother your little flame. Kindling usually consists of small twigs and branches.” – Jeff Adams
Kindling catches fire from the tinder as it feeds the flames. Many of us skip this step and throw big logs of busyness on our wanting flames. Or we let our desires smolder out because if we can’t be a big roaring fire we choose not to burn at all.
If we feed the flame of emotions with kindling of The Word of God, that is when a lasting fire begins. One twig or branch of scripture at a time. I have found that light from kindling (scripture) exposes the depth of the tinder (my emotions). This exposes the next steps to take with God; be it repentance, gratitude or obedience. “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…..”
2 Timothy 3:16 Don’t rush. Be willing to linger and let the kindling of scripture catch fire.
FUEL WOOD
“Fuel wood is what keeps your fire hot and burning. Contrary to popular belief, fuel wood doesn’t have to look like the huge logs you use in a fireplace. Look for branches that are about as wide as your wrists or forearm.”-Jeff Adams
I have also found that the firelight from tinder and kindling will reveal good fuel wood that is right next to me. Look for wood in your private thought life, your marriage, your family, your neighborhood, your workplace, your ministry. I call them branches of obedience. Jesus said, “I have come to bring fire to the earth and how I wish it were already kindled.” Luke 12:49
Obedience
God does things with obedience. These are the fires that potentially burn more than 100 years. What is God telling you to do or not to do? Be willing to look around you. Place those branches of obedience on the fire. And watch what God does.
May we, God’s children, be willing to tend our fires, ready for His touch—God’s fire!
Lynn Jackson
CO-Founder
Thrive Leadership Foundation
journeylynn@gmail.com
Another great lesson, Lynn! May God kindle the Fire of passion, His Word and obedience in me. Oh that the works He does through me might withstand the fire of His testing and bear fruit for eternity. Keep me seeking the Fire, Lord.