Wind and Fire

 August 16, 2020

“Green wood doesn’t burn well because it’s full of sap—the lifeblood of the tree. We cannot be ignited by the fire of God until we release our old lifeblood—the sap by which we used to live in the world.” This morning in worship, my son gave this word picture of how God works in us. St. Paul put it this way: “Put off the old man...put on Christ.” (Ephesians 4:22, 24)

We Christians speak freely about wanting the fire of the Holy Spirit to descend upon us as it did at Pentecost, but what good is the fire if the wood won’t burn? Until we expose the wood of our souls to the drying wind of the Holy Spirit, God cannot set us on fire. The wind of God often  blows hard, bringing dryness to our souls, but it is a necessary step in the work of God, seasoning the old life out of us till he can set us ablaze.

John Wesley was once asked how it was that such large crowds gathered in fields in the early hours of the day to hear him preach. His response: “I just set myself afire and people come to watch me burn.” Sadly, we are often content to sputter along, giving off more smoke than heat and light. 

A preacher was visiting a lapsed church member who objected that he didn’t need to be in church to be a Christian. They happened to be sitting at a campfire, so without a word, the preacher poked one of the blazing logs with his toe, moving it to the side by itself. The flame soon flickered and died. “I understand,” said the church member. “I’ll see you Sunday.” COVID has taken its toll on church attendance, with many of God’s people watching from home, often huddled in fear. They may not see it right away, but the flame is slowly dying as their hearts grow cold. 

I am thankful tonight that the very same Wind that blew through Pentecost, seasoning those 120 souls so the fire could rest upon them, still blows today when God’s people are gathered in Christ’s name. May it come in hurricane strength so the fire can become a conflagration of holiness and salvation!