Fan the Flame

I have often been described as a "fiery" personality, but after some reflection I have concluded that not only is that not a bad thing, but maybe it's a thing that we should be more of.

Lately, I have been reading in Leviticus and the other day a verse stood out to me:

"The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out."

Leviticus 6:12-13

Fire has always been of great importance to mankind's survival, but that is applicable in a spiritual sense too. In the Bible, fire burning was an indication of the presence of God. It is what devoured sacrifices, demanded attention, and instilled obedience. God spoke to Moses through the flames of a burning bush, and He commanded the obedience of the priests through making proper sacrifices - fire burning was, and still is, God's way of making His glory known.

And thank's to Jesus' death on the cross, that flame no longer has to be a painful thing that burns to the touch; instead, it is a warmth that takes up residence in us.

It is the Holy Spirit.

No longer does this fire demand blood on an altar, instead it brings with it repentance and grace, it is a balm to our souls, it is cleansing and purifying, because now we can rejoice in the "trial by fire" of sanctification because we know that Jesus already paid the ultimate cost on the cross.

But with that grace, a responsibility still remains.

The fires were lit by God because He was ultimately who kept the fire going. He is the fire bringer and maintainer BUT He allows us to add firewood to the flames and arrange the offerings on the altars.

We are meant to tend the flames that Christ lights inside of us. And this is done through the pursuit of His word, His will, and His world (i.e. the church).

We have the opportunity to encourage one another DAILY and build up each other's fires to make that flame grow bigger - spurring one another on to grow closer to the Lord and broaden the reach of Christ's kingdom. And it is through that spurring on that we are better able to reach our individual purposes and find Christ's plans for our life.

Go and fan that flame...

- Emma

"Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."