Fire For The Lord

Encounter: Find a quiet place to read and reflect on Ezekiel 37:1-14. Read verse 10 and 14 a few more times, taking time between each reading to simply sit and breathe.

Working in a paper mill there are many different hazards recognized. One of the hazards that a paper mill is always watching for are fires. Employees go through annual training on fire recognition, fire extinguishing, and fire fighting responsibilities.

In order to have a fire, three things must be present; Fuel, Heat, and Oxygen. Take away any of the three elements and the fire cannot exist. When fire fighting with water, we are typically changing the heat required for the fire to exist. When using a fire extinguisher, the chemical in the extinguisher is eliminating the oxygen component. Some fire fighting techniques like wild fires, will use controlled burns to consume the fuel source under a controlled situation so the wild fire will no longer have a fuel source to burn and therefore extinguish the fire.

When we reflect on Ezekiel’s vision from God about the dry bones in the valley, we can find that our spiritual journey can be much the same as the dry bones. When we do not take the time to engage in our readings, listen in our prayers, participate in our small groups or triads, and just allow life to happen, our souls or bones in the case of Ezekiel’s vision can dry up. But as God shows us through this vision to Ezekiel, there is hope.

In the case of a fire that needs extinguished, we try to eliminate one of the three elements of the fire. In order to have life with God, we need to have fire for the Lord. We are the fuel source. God supplies the heat source and the oxygen. The heat source is our life experiences (good or bad). As the fuel, we simply need to recognize and acknowledge God’s involvement in our life. The oxygen is our Bible study, fellowshipping with other believers, being honest and vulnerable with God in our prayer life, and listening to the Spirit’s guiding. Depending on our level of engagement with these elements, the intensity of the fire for the Lord will be present or active at a low burn like the pilot in your furnace or a raging inferno ready to spread through the rest of the kingdom.

I have fought many fires in my 37 years at the paper mill. Some of them were pretty intense. Due to the hard work and dedication of the people at the mill, we were able to extinguish all of the fires, some with the help of the fire department and restart operations in a short time. I have also extinguished many of my own spiritual fires due to complacency, lack of discipline, and frustration with God. However, God never lost faith in me and cast me away as chaff to be consumed in the fire. God provided a spark to help me to re-ignite my fire for the Lord.

Reflection: As you sit and breathe while reflecting on verses 10 and 14 of Ezekiel 37, consider the current state of your fire for the Lord. Is your fire a raging wild fire or is it struggling to burst into a flame.

Sit with God during this time and allow yourself to be honest and vulnerable to God. Ask Him to reveal to you which of the elements are needing support to flame the small fire into raging fire for the Lord.

Keep in mind, that it is not about adding to your already crazy life. It could be about removing something in your life that is taking away your oxygen for fire. It could be replacing something that hinders your view of God in your life experiences.

Spiritual Practice: During your reading or listening of the 730 challenge or from your small group or devotion time, notice what phrase or word attracts your attention. Write it down and sit with God over it. Discuss with Him why you are attracted to the word or phrase. Use this time to also open your heart and be completely honest and vulnerable with Him. Sit in silence and listen.

Through the course of the day, take notice of everything that happened in your day (even the mundane). Ask God to reveal to you where He was during those events. Praise Him and give thanks to Him for His presence in your life. God always meets you where you are!

Gather: Discuss with one another the impact of Ezekiel 37:1-14. Listen to each other intently and without judgement. If led by the Spirit, share the condition of your fire in the Lord. Share if you noticed any change in the intensity of the flame when you changed or removed something to allow greater presence of the elements that allow the fire to thrive.