You Can Choose What Fire That Will Be
Even if you’re like me and don’t watch the news, you’re most likely aware of the chaos going on. Buildings being burned and businesses being destroyed in protest of the man who died while being detained. Protesting of injustice is one of the foundational building blocks this country is built on.
In 1773 the American Colonists protested being taxed by the British Parliament’s taxation without representation. This protest was directed at the British company that was being allowed to sell tea without being taxed. The protesters didn’t burn the ships or destroy their neighbor’s business…they threw the tea into the harbor.
Even a small fire can light a dark path.
If you’ve ever used a lantern you know how much light a small flame can produce. A match, when lit will give light, but only for a short time. A large candle might burn for 10-12 hours. A fire in a fireplace will continue to burn as long as we keep putting wood on it. We have to be careful, even the small fire of a candle if not controlled, can burn a house down.
This past Sunday Christians celebrated Pentecost. This commemorates the Holy Spirit coming to the followers of Christ. In Acts 2:1-4 it is described as “…a noise like a strong wind, blowing from heaven and filling the whole house…something like flames of fire were separated and stood over each person…” Fire is used throughout the Bible as an example of light in the dark to help us see.
In Shep Jordan’s Monday Morning Moment this week, he shares the importance of Pentecost. That ‘Fire’ that came to Christ’s followers is still available to us today. We can tap into this power and use it to light our path as well as those around us.
For fire to burn it has to have fuel.
We can fuel our fires by reading the Bible, praying, through fellowship and worship. If we don’t fuel our fires they will go out. We need to keep those fires lit so that those around us can witness what light from the Holy Spirt looks like.
The song “This Little Light of Mine”, written in the 1920s by Harry Dixon Loes, explains it well. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine. Don’t let Satan blow it out! I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine till Jesus comes! I’m gonna let it shine.
Fuel your fire with the Holy Spirit and let your light shine.
As always your message is succinct and on point! Your light is always bright and never goes out. Blessings to you my friend!
Thanks Shep. Did you check out that link I included to an amazing podcast by this great guy that I know?
This blog was both something I enjoyed & needed to read. The fire is deep within me. Sometimes, it burns so bright & hot, I feel as though it could set the whole town on fire. Other times, it burns low & faint. Those are the times I find myself feeling lost, confused, sad, angry… It’s then that I realize how little I’ve fed my fire. The trappings of the world have had my attention for too long; they’ve nearly suffocated me & my fire. Nearly, but they will never succeed in putting it out. Now, these are the times that I carefully tend to my fire. I don’t want some quick, wimpy, little fire that gives me instant gratification, but goes out quickly. No sir! Anyone that knows me knows, I want I nice big fire. It’ll be bright & hot. It’s going to roar & crackle. Most importantly, it’s going to burn a long time. It gives off a large barrier of heat that calms me, yet also revitalizes me. It helps to give me clarity. Now, when the world comes at me, angered by my nice fire, complaining about the amount of heat it gives off, & does everything it can to put it out, I am protected. The heatwave distorts images that might otherwise catch my eye, leading me away from my fire. The sickening cries & deceiving melodies of the world are muffled by my barrier. They no longer reach my ear & get in my head to cause confusion. I am protected. I walk the world with confidence, I am revitalized, I am happy, I am my best, because of the fire within me. I’m greatfull for my fire & the protection it gives me, but also because it draws the attention of others that want such a fire. They hear it before they see it. The closer they get, the more they feel it. When they finally see it, they are in awe. They want to know everything about it so that they may have their own fire within them. Thank you for writing & sharing your blog. As I said before, I really enjoyed & needed to read it.
Thank you for reading it and sharing. Let your light shine!