THE COST OF A LIFE ON FIRE
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11
When I read the biographies of great saints, whether biblical or historical, I’m always wide-eyed over their passion. I want what they had. God’s hand was on their shoulders and the fire of His Spirit went wherever they went. He propelled their movements. Oh, it’s a beautiful thing for God’s Spirit to burn brightly through a disciple’s life.
After having traveled through this series with me, is your appetite engaged to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Have you found yourself longing, even aching, to burn with a purpose that transcends what is earthly? If we were together today, most likely we would recognize the Spirit in each other and already see the evidence of the Spirit’s warmth. But while it is wonderful, there is a cost I must embrace.
- You may be in a marriage where faith has divided you. Your home has hung together but perhaps that’s because you’ve toned down your Christianity. You’ve made the puzzle pieces fit together by compromising your passion. The cost for a life on fire will be that the puzzle pieces will no longer fit. You will be out of sync (until your spouse embraces Christ and engages with the same journey). You will obey Jesus instead of obeying your fear.
- You may have a group of lifelong friends. Down deep, you’re aware that you don’t really fit like you used to but they don’t know it yet. You’ve played it safe by not letting your love for Jesus and His kingdom ooze out in conversation. You might fear, “If I pursue the disciple’s life of passion, I will be alone. I will be peculiar to my friends and they will not want to go with me.” Following Jesus might mean starting over with new relationships. We must keep company with others on fire.
- You may be afraid of personal change. You don’t know what you will be like if you give yourself completely to God. It feels safe to stay the same. It’s scary to become what you’ve never known before. Is this too costly?
My new life will resemble those whose effect on people was nearly identical to the reactions others had to Jesus. I will be like Moses, face on fire, causing those who are repelled to look away and those who are attracted to draw near. I will be as Stephen whose electric testimony delivered words like with a sword, igniting the crowd to stone him. I will be as the eleven disciples who challenged the god and philosophy of this world, marking themselves as ones who aligned with Jesus. One thing is sure. Living this life is impossible without proper fuel. Serving God will fizzle because the cost feels too expensive. Make a decision today with your eyes wide open.
I love you, Jesus, and I have a passion to see You glorified. Make my life a burning bush. Amen
Copyright Christine Inc.
Find more info at: www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Monday, 01 July 2019.
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