A Fresh Fire

When I think about the idea of fire my body immediately starts to feel the sensation that illuminates from heat. It’s interesting because fire can sometimes look like an illusion. Let me explain – when we see the flames burning, it’s as if there’s a transparent pellucid crystal-clear gaze reflecting back at you. We know the fire is there and understand the benefits to its use, but if the fire moves from its appointed boundary things can quickly transcend to uncharted territory. This is also one of the ways I believe building a relationship with God is like. Through Jesus, God has gifted us His Holy Spirit and we get the chance to experience God’s presence in ways that weren’t available to everyone prior to Jesus’ earthly arrival. In the Old Testament, the writers expressed that God would provide His Holy Spirit to specific people for explicit purposes. There was a certain task that God wanted done on the earth and he would choose certain people to handle it. For example, in Exodus 31 the writer states, “Then the Lord said to Moses, Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel Son or Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.” God chose Bezalel and blessed him with his Spirit to complete a task God wanted done on the earth. The richness that we see so clearly described in Exodus 31 is the same Spirit God has gifted to all of us. When Jesus came to earth one of his missions were to provide all of us with God’s Holy Spirit. The Bible explains it vividly in John 14, “if you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

God’s Spirit changed our world. He has given us a new realm of the heavenly places on earth and provided us a closeness to God that we never would’ve experienced without Him. God’s Holy Spirit is glorious and life-changing in ways that are impossible for man to fully understand. It’s a true act of faith to accept and receives God’s Spirit. I am in awe of the wonderful gifts God has provided us. To make us image bearers and grant us the ability to govern this earth for His goodness and glory is powerful. It’s such a blessing to be alive and work for the Lord. To know that there’s nothing I could do to make God love me more than He already does allows my service and work for Him to be done out of pure awe and gratitude. I am so thankful that God loves me and has showered me with all these wonderful blessings, especially His Holy Spirit. All I want to do in return is pour my love back to Him. Thanks be to God that He has granted us the ability to live on this earth, but what is even more astounding is that His mercy endures forever. There’s nothing that can separate us from God’s love. But to know that we are chosen for a time such as this, and above all we have the privilege to have His Holy Spirit dwell within us to bring more life in an abundant way. The Bible says God is patient and merciful to us so that we may turn from our sin. I find that to be so wonderful to know that we have a God that will grant us grace to experience his redemption through the ultimate act of repentance.

I’ve learned the true essence of God is joyous when we are obedient to his word. In the book of Nehemiah, the people wept when they heard the words of the law (Nehemiah 8:9). Through hearing God’s word, their hearts were convicted and that caused them to repent. The people weeping while hearing God’s law displayed the true essence of a repented heart, but it also provided courage and strength in knowing that turning from their sin will provide them with the joy and hope of the Lord. That is why Nehemiah was explaining to them that they have found a new joy and that is their strength and hope in God alone. God was creating, in that moment, a fresh fire in their hearts and blessed them with the revelation that he is their only way, hope, and life. Nothing is more powerful than God, and his grace allows us a chance to experience his presence in a new way. Giving God access to the hard parts of your life provides a new hope and fresh experience with him. In the toughest moments, we get the chance to learn God in a new and mighty way. He provides us a fresh way of witnessing his glory and goodness.