Fire
Keep it Burning: For nearly everyone, it’s safe to say the past year of the pandemic has taken people’s sense of joy and happiness. That’s not to say we don’t have our ultimate joy in the Lord, but in times of distress such as these, hardships are felt. People everywhere have been restricted from interacting with others, many have suffered economically, others have lost loved ones, and every person has been forced to live an abnormal way of life. It’s a tragic time, but we can’t let it rob the fire in us. We are warned in the Bible that we will face tribulations and hardships so we must be ready and believe for better days ahead. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9. Past generations have faced far worse threats than what we have encountered so we too must endure and show strength and courage. “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” — 2 Timothy 4:5. God uses those who believe, not those who are unbelieving. Do not let outward hardships extinguish the fire inside of you. There is still much the Lord has in store for you.
Weakness: The modern culture today teaches us to embrace weakness and fear. In the Word we are told to embrace weakness, but not in the sense of wallowing in it and playing the victim. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. These verses are speaking of endurance. This is the endurance to accept all the insults, hardships or whatever may come our way because the grace of God is sufficient for us. However, this doesn’t mean for us as Christians to wallow in defeat and play the perpetual victim. That’s how the world acts (especially today). This is unbecoming behavior for the children of God. We are a people of faith and we follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. Jesus suffered pain and death and he was considered broken and weak because of it, but he was not “weak” in the sense most people use the word. He was made weak for us. The reality is that Jesus was strong, courageous and merciful. He was the champion of endurance and the ultimate example of how to bear difficulties. That’s why we say we take up our cross and follow Jesus. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” — Galatians 2:20.
Flames: The fire of God burns deep inside of you. It might be masked from time to time from all the distractions of the world, but it is there. Stoke the flames and let the world see the bright light inside of you. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14–16. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” — Ephesians 5:8. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” — 1 Peter 2:9. Realize you are children of light with a fire burning deep inside of you. Don’t live a defeated life. Live victoriously in Him and reach out and grab hold of your full potential. Let the world play the victim, but as for you, be strong, be courageous, endure all things, and let your light shine.
