Romans 12:11 (NIRV) Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.
Hebrews 12:29 (NLT) For our God is a devouring fire.
Over the past week or so, my husband and his dad have been burning the areas around the pine trees. They do this almost every year as winter comes to an end and spring begins. The fire kills the overgrowth of vegetation, weeds, and plants that do not belong, it removes dead leaves and debris, and it also helps to keep the flea, tick, and snake population under control. Controlled burns also are completed to prevent destructive wildfires. The fire acts as a sort of cleansing for the forest, and it allows the trees that are growing there to thrive because they are no longer competing with the multitude of vegetation that was growing beneath them. Every year, we set the forest on fire, and in just a matter of weeks, we will see beauty come from those ashes.
When I think about my Christian walk, I must admit that there are times when I feel like my walk with God needs to be set on fire, or maybe I just need to fan the flames. Consider that for a little while, my friend. Fire is all consuming. It burns hot and bright. It refines and purifies. Fire provides us with heat, and it emits light. Our faith walk should resemble that of a great fire. Yes, we should ask our Savior to set our souls on fire, down in the deepest recesses of our being. We should desire to burn with a fire for Christ that is all consuming, a fire that burns deep within us, and one that completely overtakes us with the refining, purifying fire of the gospel.
We should pray a prayer asking God to set us on fire, and when we do, we better get ready because a blaze is a coming! God will set us on fire by allowing the Holy Spirit to consume us without restraint or restrictions that were previously placed by our own silly selves. We will soon find that we can let go of fear, and we can totally, unconditionally trust in Christ with every aspect of our lives. We will find ourselves desiring more time with God, craving His Word, and seeking Him continually in prayer. The fire will cleanse us. It will remove all of that dead debris that we have been hanging on to for far too long. The fire will refine us and purify us making us more like Christ each day. Keeping that fire blazing hot will also help eliminate the pesky little pests in our lives…those little sins that we hold on to will be eliminated. The Holy Spirit will bring those things to our attention, and we will see them for what they are and repent and turn away from them. The fire will remove unwanted vegetation, the things that grow wild in our heart, choke us down, and prevent us from thriving in our spiritual walk. A burning fire for Christ will prevent other little fires, like tragedies, anger, bitterness, and strife, from running wild and rampant. A soul burning for Christ can’t be overcome by the wildfires of everyday life.
We often try to fill our hearts, minds, and lives with things of this world. These things can be good to an extent, but there is a problem when we allow the things of the world to consume us. If we fill ourselves with things of God, that all consuming fire will satisfy our souls like nothing else. Nothing can compare to the feeling of a heart and soul on fire for Christ.
How then do we set our souls on fire for Christ? All we have to do is simply light a match. It only takes a tiny little spark to ignite a flame. Read the Word. Pray. Ask Christ to be the ruler of your heart and your head. Ask Him to set your soul on fire for Him, and then fan those flames with prayer every chance you get.
By K.K. Hodge
Inspirations from the Funny Farm 