6 minute read
JOY BRINGER
Season BOWERS
It’s cold! As I write this I am bundled and cozy, wishing I had a fireplace. The smell, the crackle, and the flickering glow of a fire brings comfort and joy. There is something about a fire that conjures up feelings of romance and love. Perhaps it’s because a fire draws us in close.
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I was in my mid 20s when I was informed that the word was “bonfire” not “bond-fire”. I was a bit embarrassed, yet grateful to be corrected, however, I still choose to call it a “bond-fire”. Isn’t that what happens? A bonfire brings people together, it is meant to be shared. Stories and songs, food, laughs, intimacy and wonder happen around a fire.
It’s ancient. Fire has been a part of human existence since the beginning of time and vital to our survival, but it’s not just important to us, fire is important to God. Scripture speaks about fire in many ways. It is first mentioned in Genesis 3 and used to guard the gates of Eden and all throughout as a symbol of the presence of God, a name for the Holy Spirit. It's used for purification and strengthening, a tool of destruction, and even a sign of the glory of God.
Growing up we had a firepit in our backyard. My dad loved a roaring fire, but what good is a firepit if there is nothing to burn? Anytime my father saw a wood pallet on the side of the road, or a large piece of wood just about anywhere, he would pull over, and put it in the back of his truck. “This will burn!” He would say with boyish anticipation. But it wasn’t just the fire that brought him joy. He loved the process: finding the right wood, gathering the kindling, arranging all the pieces to achieve the perfect placement for optimum oxygen flow, the strike of the match, and of course the moment of greatest delight - ignition.
But it doesn’t end there. It takes effort to keep a fire burning. Bonfire enthusiasts, and anyone past the honeymoon phase in a relationship can attest to that. To enjoy a continual burn, there must be fire, but to keep the fire burning there must be something to burn. And that takes effort.
When it comes to love, it’s not the flowers, chocolate, or diamonds that keep the fire burning (although they don’t hurt), it’s the real love stuff that makes a difference. Real love, according to scripture, isn't flowery and sweet. It’s not cute or packaged perfectly in a little blue box. Real love according to the Word is sacrificial (John 15:13). It’s the sacrifice that we make on the altar of love that keeps the fire burning.
In the book of Leviticus, the Lord gives Moses very clear instructions regarding the offerings and sacrifices, and He says, “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out” (6:13). Did the Lord need the sacrifices of the people to keep the fire burning? No. God can create fire on His own. The fire was a sign of the Lord’s continual power, ministry, and love on behalf of His children. But again, why did God need the people to provide the wood or sacrifices to keep it burning? I believe it’s not that He needed it, He wanted it. The Lord desires for us to be in relationship with Him, to receive His love, and in return give our lives. The sacrificial offering was worship, a sign of their love and gratitude. Often in the beginning of a relationship we are willing to sacrifice anything to be with the one we love. Similarly, as new believers we are willing to give up everything to follow Jesus, but over time if we aren’t careful the fire often fades. Perhaps, because we get comfortable. We become casual and familiar with the one we love and lose sight of their value. We stop contributing and our focus fades. A fire without fuel dies out. An unwatched fire can cause destruction or even bring ruin. Not so with the fire of God's love. His love for us, for you, never dies out; even if we neglect it or turn away. But why would we want to? His fire brings belonging and comfort, provision and protection. We draw strength from it. It gives us focus. It brings light and hope in the darkness. Next to the warmth of His loving fire we find rest.
If your fire has gone from a roaring passionate one, to a barely smoldering ash pile, perhaps it’s time to sacrifice; to lay something on the altar that has taken your focus away from the eyes of love that burn for Him. The fire of Jesus’ love never goes out, because His sacrifice was ultimate. The fire of God is meant to purify and strengthen. I want that! I want my love for the Lord to be pure and strong. A love that burns bright so that others will be drawn to Him.
As we celebrate love this month (but it certainly is worth celebrating everyday) let us be determined to put fuel on the fire of love for the Lord; laying ourselves down for the One who burns eternally for us. Season Bowers Pastor, Author, Radio Host, Joy bringer 619-807-8509 Follow the joy at seasonbowers.com Instragram, Facebook
Dr. Carla DEBNAM
Dr. Carla Debnam, Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center
Love Is the Answer
Our world is getting to be more challenging to navigate every day. The rules of engagement continue to change at work, in worship and in the world. We have become more cynical, more closed off and more cautious than ever. It is not only because of the pandemic but over the years we have become desensitized to the needs of those around us. We have cut off our care, concern and compassion for others and even ourselves. This has led to a way of life that shuts us off from conversations, compassion and care.
How can we get past these mounting social, emotional and mental stressors without being overtaken by them? We must live with radical love. Love in action not just with words will help us through these turbulent times. Living through the tsunami of grief, sickness and pain that we see now and will be around for years to come requires us to become free to serve others in ways we have not done in the past. It is more than meeting the physical needs of people. But we must be like Jesus who went out of his way to meet up with the woman at the well who had been married five times and the man living in the cemetery cutting himself. These encounters changed the trajectory of their lives. This is what people need today. They need us to go out of our way to meet them where they are and encourage them to have hope.
Hope and love are the keys to enduring and overcoming the racism, classism, sexism and other ‘isms’ of the world. Hope is not unrealistic or uninformed, but our hope is in the active presence of God. Hope spurs us on to action and action is what encourages change and change takes time to manifest. We love because God first loved us. We care because God has compassion for our needs. We keep pressing because love never gives up. We can doubt our ability to love unconditionally but we cannot doubt the love of God. God gave his one only son that we might have everlasting life. Love is the answer and always will be because we were created from love and will be united by God’s love until Jesus returns. With love motivating us, we can get through the worries that will keep us from hoping and trying and working to overcome them.
