Spiritual Fire 

   “I have come to set the earth of fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!  There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great in my anguish until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12: 49 – 50) 

   Jesus knew that His message would cause division in the world.  Those who would accept His message would be rejected by those who would not, just as He had been rejected.  Hatred and persecution would ensue.

   He also knew that, by His life, death, and resurrection, He would light a spiritual fire within those who accepted His teachings and recognized Him as the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

   Within the Christian heart there is a fire burning with love for Jesus.  A desire to live for Him and join Him in eternal life.  The world in which we life is a sinful place, but it cannot extinguish the fire within.  In fact, the greater the evil of society, the harsher the persecutions, the hotter the flame becomes.  The martyrs are witnesses to this; they willingly underwent torture and suffered horrible deaths rather than abandon their faith.

   I don’t think the flame can ever be completely quenched.  I believe that even those who choose to turn from Christ still have a spark within them.  It may linger as nothing more than a small ember for years but it can still be fanned into a raging fire of faith and hope in the Lord.

   God is within each of us whether we wish to admit it or not.  To think otherwise is foolish and brings frustration and angst.  There is no other source of true peace in this world; without Him, peace is a passing wind, a temporary reprieve from the woes of this world.

   He has given us a path to heaven; He has lit the flame within us.  It’s up to us to feed that flame with love and devotion, keeping it burning bright. 

Lord, You lit a fire within me.

It fills me with desire for You alone.

Never let the intensity die down.

Let the flame burn brightly. 

Amen