Something that most every camper enjoys is their campfires.
Early in the season the vegetation was so dry that the Forest Service executed a Stage 2, Red Flag fire restriction. No campfires, not even charcoal – anything that could cause a spark was restricted. Everyone understood the reasoning, but they weren’t happy.
Then the rains came and the restriction was lifted. I have no idea how many bags of firewood we have sold. There’s something mesmerizing about watching those yellow and gold flames. It’s soothing, comforting, inviting.
Campers love to sit around those campfires and visit. It’s definitely a time of relationship building, memory-making.
That is how our conversations should be as we interact with others. Remember yesterday’s verses – we are salt and light. Fire is a type of light, a warming and welcoming light. Those who are chilled from the circumstances of life can come and be warmed, those who are hungry for what’s missing in their hearts can come and be fed.
Those lacking joy can come to the fire within us and find fellowship.
Jeremiah was a prophet in a wicked and perverse generation. His nation was under siege because of their sins and their disobedience to God. He was a prophet whose message had been ignored and in fact, he had been jailed because of his message.
Just listen to what he said:
“Sometimes I say to myself, “I will forget about him.
I will not speak anymore in his name.”
But when I say that, his message is like a fire burning inside me!
It feels like it is burning deep in my bones!
I get tired of trying to hold his message inside.
And finally, I am not able to hold it in.” Jeremiah 20:9 ERV
The message of God is a fire inside of me, I can’t hold it in. His was a message of repentance and forgiveness.
Is the message of God a fire inside us? We have a message of God’s love and forgiveness to offer those around us; a message of comfort, of nourishment, of acceptance.
There is a line from an Alicia Keys song that I want to ring true in my life. “This girl is on fire”.
Lord, let Your word burn within me, a fire that can’t be contained. Let me not hold back on the message you have given me. May I warm and console those around me with your love.
“John’s answer to this was, “I baptize you in water, but there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who unties his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Luke 3:16 ERV
Holy Spirit, light the fire in my soul!