One of the memorable moments I had during our camping trip was building a fire. There are many things that are needed in order to enjoy a roaring fire. First, you must have the proper environment; there must be a place to host the fire. You cannot just build and start a fire anywhere—you must find the proper ground. Second, there must be the proper materials: very dry wood, kindling and a heat source. Then, you must assemble these materials in the proper order. For example, putting the kindling on the top is not the proper sequence. When assembling the materials, you must have forethought in how you place them, as there needs to be a flow of air to allow the fire to breathe. When you first light the fire, there is a little flame produced, but in order for it to build into a roaring fire, you must fan the flame into a fire. From my experience this time camping, I saw that a little breeze or a faint blow does not yield a large fire. You must give a vigorous fanning to produce a large flame substantial enough to sustain a large flame and burn with any kind of heat. We must continually feed the fire in order for it to continue. The more material the fire is given, the larger the flame grows. Even if the fire is allowed to die down, there is still a way to produce more fire from the embers that are left behind. As long as the embers are hot, a fire can be produced by the same process; we just need to add the proper materials and fan into flame once again, until a burning hot fire is within.
As I was in the process of building the fire and preparing to cook, I saw the spiritual significance in this very practical task. We, too, are just like this fire. We first need to be in the proper environment, otherwise we can never be burning inside. This environment—this sphere—is the church. We also need to have the proper materials for the assembly. We need to have a condition that can be set on fire, just as the wood has to be properly prepared to be burned. If we are too “green,” meaning our mind is still active and full of logic and analysis, when others attempt to set us on fire, all we will do is smolder and choke others out who are near us. We will never burst into flame. We also need to have room for a “flow” to flow. Wood needs air and we need the spirit. Without this flow, the fire is not fed properly and cannot combust. There is no function from the fire if it is never lit properly. The same is true with us—if the spirit in us is stifled, there is no bursting into flame; we will remain without function—not useful. But once everything is assembled properly, everything within us is aligned properly (our spirit, soul and body are all under the headship of Christ), and we have a proper flow, all it takes is a small spark to ignite—to quicken—a flame into being. When we see that small flame in us, oh, how exciting! Spontaneously, we want the flame to grow into a fire. We see that by fanning or by exercising, how quickly and spontaneously the fire grows. As the fire grows, it produces heat and light—it has come into its full function. This is our condition when our spirit is fanned into flame: we will produce light and heat to those around us. In our life, there should be an impact on others if they are near us.
Saints, let’s fan into flame that which was deposited into us. Let us take heed today if our fire has died down to fan it once again before the embers grow cold and there is no hope of its being relit. Let’s be bright in these times of darkness and produce heat to those standing in the coldness of the world.
-TB