We bought a camper.
I had never “been camping,” so the thought of supplies we would need and the ins and outs were a little cumbersome.
Turns out, you can still have fun if you forget the ketchup.
You can “bake” biscuits on the stovetop if you can’t figure out how to get the oven to work.
You can buy mattress pads to help alleviate the hardness so your bones don’t crack when the sun rises.
But, if you can’t get the campfire going, you might be in for some disappointment.
Building a campfire though is a process.
If you use too much liquid encouragement, as soon as the liquid encouragement is “burned” off, you have no fire. You can get it too hot and burn through every piece of wood you have. The way you stack your wood can cause lack of oxygen supply or the fire ring can just be in a bad spot.
This concept reminds me of the word zeal and our walk with Him. Zeal—a burning desire to please God. Zeal, in Greek means to be hit or have heat. We are encouraged to have zeal in Romans 12:11.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11 NIV
But how do we “have” a zeal for God? How do we keep our passion? Living on earth is hard!
James—a great book for reflection. A section in the 4th chapter has “stuck” with me regarding this and I believe it contains the “three” essentials of that burning fire and desire. A fire needs 3 elements: heat,fuel, and oxygen.
“….Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4:4-10 NKJV
Heat: We see there in James—He loves us! He yearns jealously for you. As a matter of fact, what better love than to send His Son down to die on the cross for us to even have life! His passion for you is what should ignite your fire for Him. He gives grace. He gives mercy. He is a consuming fire….(Hebrews 12:29).
Fuel: Be humble. Your fuel is Him. A car can’t have “life” without the gas. Ever been stuck on the side of the road with an empty tank? He is what should give you your energy. He is who you should be basing “who you are”. He is the reason you have life. Are you fueling yourself with wisdom from His words? Are you serving lovingly in His name? Are you “contending” for THE faith? Less of me and more of Him….
Environment: We are asked many times in this particular passage to purify ourselves. There is corruption all around us, but what are you pursuing? What is accepted in the world? Or is it His commandments? Those commandments are not burdensome. His words should be our standard…not the influences around you.
Zeal-a burning desire for Him. Remember it is a process—just like building the perfect campfire. You can’t push “it” or it will extinguish. Prepare your heart. If the environment doesn’t promote the fire, it will go out. And keep tending it—keep adding the wood. Keep stirring the coals.
And share it with someone (S’Mores are always fun around a campfire).
Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
Anchored to Him,
Leigh Ann
