Online Summer Camp - FIRE - Day 2

 

 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine… when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. --- Isaiah 43: 1b, 2b

We went through fire [wilderness] and through water [Jordan river]; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place. --- Psalm 68: 12    

 

READ- Daniel 3: 13-28

 

Once upon a time at camp, I singed my hair with the flame on the candle I was holding. It was during outside evening prayer. 

Gathered in a warm circle, praying with friends, watching the flicker of flames reflecting on faces, I was entranced – at one with all – including the candle. With a swift blowing out of the candle and a slap to the side of the head, all was fine (minus the smell of singed hair that hung around for hours).

Have you ever been on fire?

A passion with a growing urgency to share or to act?

A voracious appetite to fan the flames of change or love unconditionally?

A heart aflame with a vision for a refined and rejuvenated world?

Traditional wisdom says that the power and personality of FIRE is change, passion, creativity, motivation, will power, drive, and sensuality. Scripture presents characters who illustrate various ways of ‘being on fire;’ on FIRE for God (and God’s kindom).  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have a FIRE within them: will power to stick to their trust in God, passion to share their faith in time of persecution, actions that change perceptions, motivation (courage) for each other…

 

Have you experienced being in the fire?  --- A place where others have imprisoned you to keep you quiet or punished you for speaking out or taking action?

For what cause or beliefs are you willing to be put in the fire?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew the words of Isaiah found at the beginning of this devotion, do not fear…flame shall not consume. The friends sang or recited the Psalm, through fire …you have brought us out. I wonder if they recalled them at the time of their furnace adventure. The Word people carry – is the kindling for fire, sparks of hope, smoking of faith, heat of courage, and warming coals of God’s presence.

In closing, I return to memories of camp and songs by the fire. Every week as a parting song, camp participants sang, “Pass It On.” I believe this is our call – our FIRE – passion for God’s kindom. #forthehealingoftheworld. Be filled with God’s fire and live these words:

It only takes a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around, can warm up to its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it, you spread God’s love to ev’ryone. You want to pass it on.

 

Holy Fire, set our hearts ablaze with love for God and with God's passion to share and kindle love and compassion the world over. Amen.