“He makes…His servants flames of fire.” – Hebrew 1:7
I was told this year that “it” made me part of the “fellowship of the burning heart” – a natural initiation, if you will, for those who desire that deeper intimacy with their Savior. What is it? It’s that flame of fire that burns within and provokes the deep groans that surpass words. It comes by the Spirit of the one proclaimed by Moses as the “all-consuming fire”. It’s the inexplicable longing to accept anything but the fullness and freedom of Christ. Jeremiah said that “His word is in my heart like a fire.” It is His word that burns within: the words of His Kingdom being at hand and the harvest being plentiful. I feel the fire within that both ignites and refines.
On one hand, the flame is one of passion for what could be in this world. With a month left until I leave on the World Race, the fire burns within me as I dream of all the Lord is doing around the world. I am infused with passion and desire as I dream of His Kingdom crashing to this earth as the voices of the hurt and forgotten around the world join in one resounding, bone-shakingly loud song that bring Glory to His name. How beautiful it will be to watch as His forgotten are called by name, His sick are healed, and His lost are found. I can think of nothing better than to go BE His gospel to this world and delve into the deeper parts of His heart. And so as I dream, I burn.
That flame also brings the pain of being refined and sharpened for the task at hand. As I have been delving into His word, it has been a harsh process of being purified from areas of selfishness and pride. Jesus’ words of selfless love and total commitment hurt as I examine them against my own reality of how I am living life. I need His Spirit’s refinement. I am desperate for Him to cleanse me of my own sin. It is a good hurt and one that draws me closer to Him. Yet it burns as I walk through it.
I pray this flame that burns within will not be quenched. What tragedy it would be to have the Living God’s fire put out by the world’s temptations and distractions. I know just how prone I am to wonder and be pulled away. I am desperate for that flame to burn deeper. greater. stronger. May His Spirit come and burn within for more and all of Jesus, that we are ruined for anything less. May we by engulfed by His Glory. Keep us aflame Lord.
