Each year I choose a "Word" for the year...a goal, a watch-word, a guide-word for my daily living. In 2016 it was "See". I intentionally tried to slow down and be cognizant of God all around me each and every day. I wanted to truly see Him, His Creation, His work all around me.
So this year, why "Fire"? Perhaps it was because I was inspired by a quote by the great theologian John Wesley:
"Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn." - John Wesley
It made me think about my life....do I live with a passion - a love for Christ - that is so intense that people would say that I'm on fire for the Lord?
My greatest desire is that a (wo)man would look at my life, and the passion they saw would point an arrow directly to God. I want it to be unmistakable just Who is the love of my life.
Jesus, himself, said that half-hearted, lukewarm, indifferent Christians make Him literally sick to His stomach. So much so, that He would spit them out of His mouth.
Is that me? Do I call myself a Christ follower, but yet have no fruit that would testify to the blood of the Spirit coursing through my veins?
I believe that Jesus wants on-fire, red-hot, enthusiastic followers who love Him more than any one or any thing. I want that to be me.
The word "Enthusiasm" comes from 2 Greek words, "En" which means "in" and "Theos" which means "God". "En Theos" literally means "in God" or "God in us." An enthusiastic person speaks as if possessed by God.
The word possessed usually has a bad connotation - as if possessed by an evil spirit. Actually the word "possessed" means to be spurred on or moved by a supernatural power.
The love of Christ compels me. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
I want to be determined to follow Jesus and I know that I need His love to compel me and propel me forward.
I want love and compassion to motivate all that I do.
I want a heart that is yielded to the Lord.
Lest I get too ahead of myself...I can't be "on fire" for the Lord out of my own will and striving to be on fire. I cannot burn unless there is a Source for my flames.
The source of my heat is His Word!
The source of my heat is His Word!
I say that twice for emphasis because I know me. In my good intentions, I will try to fan the flames of my own self-produced fire and I will be nothing more than smoke....wisps of hot air that rise up on the wind and disappear.
Our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is compared to fire or flames of fire.
I want to be on fire for the Lord. I want HIS consuming fire to consume me.
I want His passion to be my passion.
"Is not my word like fire?" declares the Lord...
In order to be on fire, there is no getting around it. I NEED TO BE IN HIS WORD DAILY...PERIOD.
"I have found that I have no unusual endowments of intellect. But this day, I resolve that I will be an uncommon Christian." - David Livingstone
Christ's disciples were not endowed with great intellect. In fact, most of the heroes of the Bible had great weaknesses. That's okay, because through their weaknesses, God can shine. The kindling of their lives produced the hottest fire because it was evident that God was the Source behind the flames.
May I go forward in this year with the Word as my sword. May I speak and act courageously. May my life be so on fire that others will come from miles to watch me burn, and may they ask...What set her heart on fire?
This is my prayer...will you pray for me that I would be on fire for the Lord - in His strength, not my own, and may God get the glory?
What is your "Word" for 2017? Would you share in the comments? If you haven't picked a word, might you consider starting this year and ask others to keep you accountable?
Be blessed....
