On the World Race, we’re put onto squads, designated by a letter. The letter doesn’t initially mean anything specifically, but is a way to help keep track of all the different squads launching at different times to different countries. It simply helps logistics know where were are.
I’m on I squad. To logistics, its a letter. But to my squad mentor, Erkia (bless her she’s amazing in every way), the letter meant so much more. The Lord gave her the word “Ignited” for our squad. Ignited- meaning lit afire, ablaze, in an all consuming way. Not a small flame that may or may not falter in the wind, but a blaze that engulfs everything it touches, that is impossible to ignore.
A cool word right? I was hoping it was applicable to the rest of my squad, because at training camp it certainly wasn’t applicable to me. I was more of a small candle. Like a birthday candle on a cake to a small child. A flame yes, but if challenged enough, it could waiver. But how quickly God works in those that answer back to Him. He called me on this trip, and I answered, and man- can I tell you how much my Papa has blessed me? He has set me ABLAZE. No more am I a small flame on a birthday cake, but now more resembling a fireball for Christ. My entire body from head to toe is in love with Jesus, and I just can’t get over how his sacrifice is greater than my every sin. EVERY SINGLE SIN. Just take a minute to let that soak in. As soon as you accept Christ as your Lord and God as your Papa, you too receive this crazy gift.
Parents- imagine sending your child to die for those who were ungrateful, selfish, and always told you your gifts were never enough. What? How is that even possible? Now imagine that child willingly dying for his ignorant brothers and sisters. That’s us. We’re those brothers and sisters- and Christ died for us. He willingly gave his life so that when we do make mistakes (we’re only human, right?), God doesn’t even blink an eye. Those sins were crucified on the cross with Him.
Now there’s a distinction to be made. Do I believe God will forgive our every sin as long as we wholeheartedly ask for his forgiveness? Yes. Does that mean we can do whatever we want because He’ll forgive us? No.
If Christ were alive today, would you perpetuate your sins because you knew he would forgive you? If you had to watch your sins be nailed to the cross alongside his hands and feet, would you continue?
Yes those words are harsh. I admit it. But I also think its the mindset of a lot of Christians today. We have become lukewarm. We’re birthday candles, not fireballs. If Satan blows hard enough, we falter. Our flame for God may even go out, depending on how much respiratory power the enemy has that day. We dedicate a few hours on Sunday morning to Him as if that’s equivalent to the death of Christ. I’m sorry folks- but if you go to church only on Christmas and Easter- it might be time to look inside and question why is it you go. Is it because you always have? Or is because the Son of God knew your every fault, and still died for you?
These words are hard, but it is because God has called us to be so much greater than we could ever achieve by ourselves. There is no condemnation here. You’re lukewarm? Me too. You’ve sinned? Me too. More than you’d like to admit? Me too. You don’t want to think about Christ dying for you because it’s too painful? Trust me, it’s painful for us all. But the beautiful thing is that He would do it again- for you. You are worth it. You are made, sculpted and shaped to be just like Him. It’s time to move forward from being lukewarm. No more birthday candles. Be alive in Christ. Set yourself ablaze, a fireball so large that no one can deny the love that pours out from you.
Plan to fulfill what my mom used to say to me- “Be the kind of woman (and man) that when you wake up in the morning and your feet hit the floor, the devil shakes with fear and cowers away.”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
