Carlos Jimenez – Pastoral Care Team, Cornerstone Church
I decided to read through the Bible this year (New Living Translation) utilizing a daily reading plan that takes me through each book consecutively, in its entirety. As I made my way through the end of Exodus, then Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with all the laws, regulations, and prescriptions for personal behavior; I was reminded how grateful I am to be living under the freedom and grace provided by Jesus. Back in early February, while Pastor Terry was in the midst of the Growth Transitions series, I came upon the following scripture, which stopped me in my tracks:
Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the burnt offering on it. He will then burn the fat of the peace offerings on it. Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.
(Leviticus 6: 12-13, NLT)
I was immediately transported back to the years I lived around Lake Tahoe, where most people heat their homes with wood burning stoves in the winter. If you expected to warm the house relatively quickly in the morning and in the evening after work, you had to make sure you kept a bed of coals going 24/7. If the coals went out and you had to restart a fire with paper and kindling, it would be quite a while before you had an “effective” fire.
So it is with us. As we go about “The Father’s Business” among friends and family, in the workplace, or in ministry, we never know when God will call upon us to bring His “heat” and/or “light” to a situation. If we haven’t kept our own spiritual fire burning, we may not have the time to get it started again before the opportunity passes.God will still do what He needs to do – it’s just that we may not get to be part of it.
For me, scripture reading and personal reflection are essential to keeping my fire burning. Once the fire’s going well, I stoke it by interacting with those around me – primarily through writing and conversation. Over the years, I’ve also come to realize that I don’t always need to have a “roaring fire” to be used by God. In situations of extreme cold and absolute darkness, a little heat and a little bit of light can make a difference.
The Signpost 