Fan the Flame
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Jeremiah 20:9,13 NIV
If I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
These verses call to mind a literal fire. With the onset of cold weather, we’ve been keeping our fireplace going day and night for the past couple of weeks. The fire will burn for a long time deep down on the bottom and on the underside of the logs. When we open the door and let in oxygen, flames begin to grow and the fire burns even hotter. It is as if the embers were just waiting to be released.
I like the image of fire in this passage. Since man first learned to strike stones together to make a spark, we have sought fire for warmth. I don’t know many people who don’t enjoy sitting around a campfire, watching the flames lick the night sky, sparks floating up to the clouds. That’s how I have felt since 1999 when I had a spiritual reawakening. Some call it a “born again” experience. I didn’t have one dramatic day when it all came together for me though. It has been a gradual process, like adding logs on the fire, to continue fueling it.
I was certainly one of the neediest individuals around by that point in my life. I feel so blessed to have been in a faith community that embraced and encouraged my spiritual exploration, formation and growth. They nurtured our entire family physically, emotionally, spiritually as we each found our way to Christ in a new, powerful, life-changing way.
The United Methodist Church has adopted a logo that includes a red flame, representing the Holy Spirit. How appropriate that a former Catholic and a former Southern Baptist would find a home in a faith community in a little church that recognizes, celebrates and embraces the powerful workings of the Spirit.
Riding somewhere with a friend one day I commented that I needed to get home so I could write something—I don’t remember the specifics of the event or situation, but it was apparently one that had a tremendous impact on me. She asked me what it felt like to need to write. She wanted to understand how I “knew” what to write and when. I explained to her that I couldn’t explain it! It burns in me like a fire. It is from God, brought to life by Christ and fueled by the Spirit. It is not of me.
I come from a line of wordsmiths and writers. My mom is a crossword puzzle whiz and I have memories of my Grandmother doing them in pen! I also remember throughout my life, from the moment I could read more than a few words, anytime I asked my mom how to spell something her automatic response was, “look it up.” I thank her for that, because I developed very early on a love for words and their origins and usage. God clearly planned the genetic makeup of my family, leading to me and my ministry. Then he placed me in a home where reading and books were highly valued.
God has a plan for each of us. We cannot fight it or hold it back forever. His words are in our hearts like a fire, a fire shut up in our bones.
My prayer today is that you fan the flame of God’s purpose for your life. And that you sing to the LORD and give Him praise.
Mary
