Brett went outside this afternoon, chopped up some wood, and brought it inside to build a fire.  The wood is slightly damp and doesn’t want to burn real well.  It is burning, but only creating a small fire.  I’m enjoying it, but Brett wants his fire to burn hotter so he is adding more cardboard and kindling to help it burn.  He has other things he could be doing like preparing for his classes tomorrow after being out sick for a whole week, but the intensity of the fire, or rather lack of it is consuming him.

I know I’m a little like that damp wood sometimes.  God tries to light a fire under me, but because I haven’t entirely committed everything to him, I’m like that damp wood that doesn’t burn well.  I create a small fire, but I”m not really putting out any heat for God.  In the meantime God continues to work on me,  adding more things to create a bigger, hotter fire for Him.  If I stay damp, I will never be truly on fire for God, but if I allow him to change me into dry wood, I will burn with intensity for Him.

Just like Brett became consumed with building a hot fire despite the damp wood, God is willing to continue to work with us and change us bit by bit until we are 100 percent committed to Him.  His greatest desire is to fill us with the fire of His Holy Spirit.

Therefore, we must be thankful that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Because we are thankful, we must serve God with fear and awe in a way that pleases him.  For our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28,29