On Fire?

What’s burning in you?

I’m talking about passion. Passion is an important part of life, and a commonly misunderstood concept. It’s often mistaken as something only associated with romance or with someone’s strong feelings.

Actually passion is all about deep dedication and devotion. It’s about rock solid commitment to something or someone. It’s a kind of fire that burns in us for people and causes we genuinely love.

Passion is very much like fire. It can wane with neglect. It can also be rekindled with purposeful care and attention.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about rejuvenating his spiritual passion:

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. –– 2 Timothy 1:6, 7 (NLT)

Timothy had real faith, and his faithfulness to God was unquestionable. Nevertheless Paul realized that this young man was losing something essential. He needed to fire up his passion for God. Fear and fret had thrown water on the flames in his soul. It was time to get out the spiritual bellows and rekindle his passion!

If this happened to Timothy, it can certainly happen to you and me! We can lose our fire for God. Our passion for the Kingdom of God can be compromised and contained by our life choices and experiences.

Let’s take a look at some of the specific things that weaken our spiritual passion?

  • Disobedience to God and His Word.
  • Delays.
  • Disappointments.
  • Discouragement.
  • Dark spiritual attacks.
  • Neglected spiritual disciplines.
  • The drudgery of our duties.
  • The dust and dirt of life — stuff that gets into our spirit and soul: guilt, condemnation, anger, resentment, competition, jealousy, pride, and other things like these.

Here are a few things that help us rekindle and keep our spiritual flames strong:

  • Accept personal responsibility for your spiritual condition. Refuse to play the blame game by blaming other people and things for the condition of your spirit and soul.
  • Remember God’s calling and purpose for your life. Know that reaching your God-designed destiny requires strong passion for God.
  • Live a life of integrity with God. Keep short accounts with Him, quickly repenting of sins and failures. Don’t toy with or justify spiritual disobedience.
  • Keep your heart clear of offenses toward others.
  • Guard against anxiety and fear by trusting in God’s goodness and care.

What’s burning in you? How’s your spiritual passion?

If it’s less than it should be, go ahead and start fanning the waning embers in your soul. God will add His breath to your efforts, and your passion for God will blaze brightly again!

Dale O'Shields

For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
Listen to Practical Living on OnePlace.com or watch Practical Living on LightSource.com.