Photo by Anita Berghoef
The red-hot coals burn from deep within and although sometimes on the outside they don’t appear as hot as the flames, they are indeed. It is also the turning point in the life of the fire, for these coals need to be fanned if they are to continue to burn. And as they are fanned and the rich air swirls around them they grow intensely red and often sparks fly. Without this important step the coals will slowly cool and the fire will eventually die.
God’s Fire Within Us
“I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” ~ Revelation 3:15-16
God desires our deep faith in Him. He made us to love Him, although He leaves that choice to our discretion. Faith works like a fire and in our own faith journey if we look closely enough we can perceive the different phases.
The initial spark that we receive is the gift of faith, often smaller than a mustard seed. Yet that tiny gift is life-changing. As that spark of faith comes in contact with our heart it sets us on fire. Our heart burns with a powerful flame, the infinite love of God has touched us and filled our hearts. Many people experience intense feelings of joy as they begin a new life in Christ. It is a glorious time. Yet, just as the flames eventually die down, so it comes to pass that this initial phase of glory fades away.
When the Flames Fade
For many of us this seems like a loss of faith. We think we didn’t have enough faith or that we’ve done something wrong to lose it. I would submit that this is not the case. I have come to believe that this is just a natural pattern of the life of faith. It must wear off for us to grow in our faith.
Too often we try to find ways to bring back the flames. Why? Well, it’s nice to have these wonderful feelings, to see the bright light of our faith active in our lives. However, only when the flames subside, only when we overcome the need for a simply emotional high and outward recognition of our inner life are we able to enter into a deeper, stronger, lasting faith. To allow the initial flames of faith to die down is to let go of the merely emotional, to move past how it makes us feel, to go beyond what we like. It is to die to ourselves. And dying is not fun, but it is necessary.
As Jesus models for us with His holy sacrifice, it is only in dying to ourselves that we become fully alive. For now that the flames are gone, the red-hot coals of our mature, deep faith burn even hotter within us. Our relationship with God can grow deeper as we are no longer focused on ourselves, but truly are living only for Him.
Allowing God to Feed Our Faith
And we rely on God to fan these coals. Taking on another service project, serving in a new ministry, reading a new book, as great as these things might be are not necessarily going to keep our faith burning. Interestingly enough, it is when we enter into the storms in life, as the powerful winds knock us around that our faith often grows deeper, for again we face more of these little deaths. We are taking up our crosses and walking with the Lord.
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.”
~ Revelation 3:19
It is an intimate communion with the Lord, a life-long journey in discipleship that lasts. That is the life of faith we are called to live. The initial flames are a great start, but they cannot last forever and it’s best that they don’t. Yet when we are fanned by the storms of life often times the flames can return for a short time. And it is these times when our faith is rekindled and takes on a stronger role in our lives. It is God’s constant guidance, as He shepherds us, leading us deeper into relationship with Him. After all, that is what this life is really all about.
Question: Is there a time you remember when you experienced that initial flame of faith? At this point of the journey what has sustained you in your faith? Leave a comment below.