Embers

Looking around at all the campers enjoying their weekend made me miss a little bit of those times during our earlier camping adventures.  Their fold-up lawn chairs, and even some more comfortable lounges, were gathered around each of the campsites.  Long food tables were in place to hold all kinds of snacks and food cooked on the portable outdoor stoves and fire pits, some of which were still glowing in the morning light.  I noticed more than just a few tables that held all sorts of beverages, especially spirit libations of every kind.  But the aroma coming from the smoldering campfires during my walk, left unattended to burn out from the night chill, reminded me that their camping weekend was coming to a close.

To me, the best part of my camping days was sleeping bundled up in our comfy sleeping bags and the familiar, smoky aroma and glow of our evening campfire.  As you most likely know, building our own fire starts with the basics: hopefully dry, maybe even rotten wood and crushed up newspaper.  But to get the fire started to create our warming embers, we need to light the match or even the old school method of creating friction and heat by rubbing two sticks together.  Whatever the method, you and I need to pour fuel on the stack of logs or coal to create a glow in our fire.  Most importantly, once our fire is burning, we can’t just stand by for too long and not be responsible for tending these hot cinders.  We certainly don’t want them to burn out!  Obviously, you know where my thoughts are going.  In order to keep our own fire burning in our hearts and souls, keeping the love of Jesus alive, we can’t sit idly by.  Just like the purpose of using a bellow, that pushes air towards the fire, breathing life to our embers, you and I need to always tend our own fire and not allow the flames to die out.

And by having our own fire burning strong, we should also act as responsible stewards in helping others who are struggling with  their own fire, or maybe their embers need to have some life breathed into them.  Many times, just helping someone light a match with a kind word, a warm hug or just a listening ear can create that much needed spark.

How is your fire burning today?  Are your embers just fire remnants and need to be heated up?  I pray that the spark of your fire is enough to warm yourself and extend to all those around you this week and always.

“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:6-7