Fanning the Flames

As the cicadas reach their fever pitch, my mind goes to summer evenings when the kids were small and still at home. There is a place on the banks of the Chikaskia River where we like to camp, build a fire and wade in the shallow water. We’d load the kids in the pickup, drive to the country, drop the tailgate, and let them ride in the back, their feet brushing the top of the bluestem as we bumped across the pasture on our way to the perfect spot. There were a couple of ways to get to the sandbar, and one of them involved stepping on the gas to gain speed to make it up the sandy hill.

“Ok, hang on!” Jeff would yell, but I was sure they didn’t hear, so I’d have to holler over the engine’s roar, “Did you hear? Hold on tight; I mean it!” As he stomped on the pedal, the tires spun, sending sand and cow pies flying. The kids would cheer with excitement while I’d try to yell, “HANG ON!” through my own laughter. Seconds later, we’d reach the top and see the river below stretching wide to welcome us. Unloading our chairs, coolers and marshmallows, we’d remind everyone to watch for poison ivy and gather kindling for the fire. But the call of the river was louder than the call of the parents, so Jeff and I would often sigh and let them go. “They’re small and in the wild, so let them be”, I reasoned, but the truth is that I romanticize my parenting skills. What really happened is that I would become irritated that they rather work than play as if they should have come from the womb holding a broom and a dustpan. Yet, as they grew older, they became experts at building fires,gathering the right materials, laying them down intentionally, fanning the flames and keeping watch.

In summer, as in all seasons, it’s essential to watch and nurture your own spiritual fire. If we remember that this life is not just about the present but also eternity, we can find the strength and motivation to overcome the challenges of daily life. Paul emphasizes this in 2 Timothy, where he writes from prison, recalling Timothy’s genuine faith, first instilled in him by his grandmother and mother. He encouraged Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God.”

As followers of Christ, do we recognize and understand the depth of God’s love within us? This is not something we generate on our own but rather a gift from Him. His love empowers us to express love and serve others in a way the exceeds natural human capability. We often try to navigte life using our own strength, and while it may work for awhile, it is not sustainable. Despite waking up feeling ready to conquer the world, exhaustion can set in by midday, making us want to run home, flop on the couch and stare at a small blue screen.

How’s your fire? Is it losing fuel, barely smoldering, or alive with long-lasting red-hot coals? What thoughts or actions do you use in your life to tend to your fire of faith? When I have a discouraging thought like, “How can God possibly use me today when I have nothing to bring? or “Nothing I do makes a difference anyway?” It’s like bringing a wet blanket to my inner fire instead of crisp, dry kindling. Gathering good fuel for your inner fire can be reading God’s word, setting our minds on truth, not only talking to God but being still before Him to listen. meeting with others to worship as well as to share life, receive encouragement and share stories of God’s faithfulness.

It takes some intentionality to fan the flames of your spiritual life, but it is worth it, as it brings energy, wisdom, peace and even excitement to your daily life here on earth. When our spiritual fires are only smoldering we can forget about the Christian life being exciting. But when we have our inner fire burning brightly we can see God equip us for a particular task, strengthen us for a taxing day, provide us with wise words in a difficult conversation, stir up love in our hearts for someone we find hard to love and meet our needs in a way we did not expect.

Dear Lord, on this earth, it can be difficult to put you first in our lives. Many things, even the good and neutral, can pull us from cultivating our relationship with you. When we reach for what dulls or sucks the life out of us, remind us that you are the abundant giver of a satisfying and meaningful life. Give us the courage to choose You first. Please, help us to be encouraging, God-honoring friends to others. Help us burn brightly with your love for all people.