Spontaneous Combustion

"Having a form of Godliness but denying its power, Have nothing to do with them" 2nd Timothy 3:5

I was camping in the beautiful forests somewhere in Idaho's panhandle this weekend. The trees and plants were so lush and thick that most of the wood we gathered was a bit too damp to use for firewood. Needless to say it was quite the chore keeping the campfire alive. We tried many different things but the fire wouldn't stay lit without the constant use of pine needles and small pieces of tinder.

I put a large log on the fire and it would not light. My nephew who was with me pointed out that the log was hollow and he had the idea to try to start the fire from inside of the log. This too failed. I remember sitting there thinking it would be great if God somehow did this wild burning bush experience with us like He did with Moses. But alas that fire wouldn't stay lit and that log was altogether useless.

Fast-forward a couple of hours while I am snug in my blankets in the tent and I hear a popping sound outside. I unzipped the tent door and looked out and lo and behold, there was a fire in the fire pit. Being a good disciple of Smoky the Bear I took it on myself to get up and throw dirt on the fire to put it out. I went back to bed.

Another hour later I again heard a popping sound. I looked outside and the fire was bigger and brighter than before. I looked at the log and the fire was coming from inside of it. This time I used water to drown the fire and I slept for the rest of the night. 

Later while pondering all of the events of that day I remember thinking about that log. It dawned on me that so many Christians in charismatic circles and groups look to be ignited from the outside in and the fire keeps dying. They labor every week and sometimes the more faithful labor through the week to light that fire again.

I began thinking that the log caught fire when enough embers and dry tinder were allowed time to do their work to ignite the log from inside. Being completely unaware of what was inside the log, I thought I had drowned the fire the first time. Little did I realize that the cause of the flame was inside of the log.

How many Christians do not know the embers longing to ignite within them? How many Christians are afraid to look to the consuming fire within them? It is a scary thing to be sure. Outside fire burns superficially. But the flame within burns thoroughly and is difficult to put out once it is lit.

But what if we quench that fire within by seeking fire outside? What if ignoring what we are and what is in us causes that to simply dwindle away and quench it? And what if those embers were fed and fanned?

I remember all of my life being taught that it wasn't about me or who I am and to forget myself. I remember being taught that it was all about Jesus. I remember, in essence, being taught to ignore myself and what I really am. It wasn't until my early 20's that I began to have an inkling that there was something magnificent, scary, and so consuming inside of me as a Christian.

I went to a church that taught me things I never heard before. They started to teach me who I really was and what I really had. Even then they barely scratched the surface and missed the point of their own teaching. But as crudely and superficially as the points were made, they did find their way into my soul and they did feed the dying ember that was the flame of the Holy Spirit inside of this hollow man.

Yet I spent years trying to ignite my life from the outside, not knowing that the real fire was within. As I did that night of the story I relayed to you, dear reader, I gave up and saw the futility of ever trying to ignite my life and I fell asleep. Lately I am being awakened to a very real and very vibrant fire growing within my own soul. I have to be honest with you, it is a bit frightening, as I don't know what that fire is or could be, and what that fire might do once it is lit, but I know I need to fan that flame. I know that if I am ever to be more than just a hollow log, if I am ever to be ablaze and lit up, it is those hot coals within that need to be fanned to full flame.

I think many Christians are afraid of this concept. But I pose the question; what is the Christian life? I mean really? Is it mere lectures from the pulpit and a song ritual on weekends? Is it the weekly gathering in midweek services and small groups? Is it doing charitable acts, giving of our time and efforts to the needy? Is it going out and winning souls for Jesus? Is it faithfully reading the Bible and praying daily? Is it for men to be good dutiful husbands and tax paying citizens? Is it for women to be good dutiful spouses and having book discussions and tea parties?

I say yes and no. But I say that all of those things are not the source of the flame, rather, they merely the superficial outward flame. Yet many Christians think that those things are the source and profusely labor to keep those superficial flames alive, while the embers within are actually being choked as they lack what the external work is taking from them. I wonder if these were the thoughts going through the mind of the apostle who warned us against quenching the Holy Spirit.

What is the Christian life? The Christian life is being ignited from within. It is being so lit and so consumed with a raging wildfire and its flames take on whatever form and color and shape that the ember core dictates. This is not something mankind can imitate. It is not something we can duplicate or fabricate. It comes when we are exhausted from fanning external flames and we simply lay down to rest and God Himself fans those embers within us to create a natural, warming fire that lights up the very core of what we are.

Now my question is, by the firelight, can we then dare look within ourselves and find out what we really are? I hold that as Christians we are something formidable to the enemy of souls. We are a force to be reckoned with. We are a wildfire that cannot be drowned by other men. Wouldn't you, dear reader like to know what is within? I'll give you a hint. The Bible calls us kings and priests. It calls us peculiar people. It says that we are seated at the right hand of Christ. Meditate on those things. Let them sink into your soul and you will find what your heart, ignited by that Spirit, no matter how dim the embers, already knows.