Light the fire

We constantly say that we want to be on fire for God or we pray that we want God to "light the fire in our souls," but what does that really mean? Most of us are seeking spiritual high that gives us a feel-good effect. For most people, "on fire for God" just means having a desire for God. But when I think of fire, I don't think of something peaceful, calm, and happy. Fire is raging, destructive, powerful, and explosive.



• Deuteronomy 4:24 says, "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Fire is all consuming. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes tear things apart, but when fire destroys, there's nothing left. When God takes over our lives, there's nothing left. When he destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah with fire, he didn't leave any evidence. He's jealous for all of us. He doesn't want a part time commitment. He doesn't want there to be any evidence of our former life in the world. Luke 17:33 says, "Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it."

• Jeremiah struggled with being on fire for God in Jeremiah 20:9 when he says, "If I say, 'I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,' there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot." This fire is irritating. Many people come into Christianity thinking, "I believe in God, but I'm not going to be a fanatic." If we allow God to set us on fire, a fanatic is exactly what we'll be. If you could imagine yourself on fire, I don't think you'd be standing around silently waiting for someone to come up and ask you what's wrong. You would be jumping around screaming, looking for anyone that could relieve you. Same goes for God. When he sets us on fire he fills us with his glory and love, we should be actively seeking people who need the gospel.

• The Israelites were led out of Egypt by God in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that "did not depart from before the people." (Ex. 13:22) God's fire is a guiding light, but we must be willing to follow. It is foolish to ask God for guidance if we are not willing to follow through. God led the Israelites through a desert for 40 years, but he never left them. Even when they were travelling in the darkest of nights, God's fire led them to where he predestined them to go. God's fire will guide us toward the path God has created for us, but we have to get up and move. If we agree to follow him wherever he leads, he promises not to desert us.

Be careful what you wish for when you ask God to "light the fire" in your soul again, because he just may follow through in a way you weren't expecting. Question is, when he follows through, will you follow him?