Pass It On
The other day I was going to barbeque some food. It always adds a little variety to the flavor. I like to use charcoal for the heat source. When I am ready to start, I don’t pour starter fluid on the charcoal. Instead, I stack it up in a metal “chimney”, put some news paper underneath it, and make sure the bottom briquettes begin to heat up. As heat rises, the bottom pieces start the piece on top of itself. The more that get ignited, the hotter it gets, and the quicker the rest of the charcoal begins to glow red. Once they are hot, I pour them out on the grates at the bottom of the grill, spread them out, and I am ready to go. When the charcoal is burning pure, it generates the heat without the smoke. However, when grease from the burgers drip onto the coals, it creates a wonderful flavor, but also a strong smokey exhaust. I couldn’t help but look at pure coals and see how they should represent the Christian family. Just as the coal does not self-ignite, so we are unable to generate that true glow without outside help. Jesus is the fire that should be burning in our hearts. One will not glow with the Spirit of God within us unless we submit ourselves to Him. Once ignited, those around begin to be affected by its warmth. Like that charcoal, we don’t need a separate match for each coal. That heat is passed from one to the other. Even though we all need God’s word to burn in our hearts, if we take the great commission seriously to go and make disciples of all nations, we see the call to pass it on. I want to share a verse of one of the songs I love, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That's how it is with God's Love, once you've experienced it, you spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.” The more coal in the grill, the hotter things get, but as the song states, it only takes a spark to get the fire going. Even if everyone else is unwilling to go with you, it is important to recognize that you are to be instruments to carry God’s word... His love... His spirit. Do feel the warmth of God’s presence when you gather for worship? If not, are you on fire when you arrive, and do you encourage others to grow in His warmth? His fire never dies. Lord, I want to burn brightly for You. Fill me with the warmth of Your love and the fire of Your word. Help me to pass it on. Amen