A Fire in my Heart

A while ago I started listening to a group "The Rend Collective", I had heard one of their songs and it inspired me enough to listen to more and buy CD's (yes I am old fashioned and like hardware!).

One track that I have been reflecting on is "Burn like a star". One line is "Burn like a star, light a fire in my heart".Matthew tells us in the words of John the Baptist, of one who will light a fire in us.  Jesus "will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you". The fire of his Holy Spirit, purifying, making whole, empowering and encouraging us.

One of the prophets, Jeremiah said this "his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot".

I don't know what the lyrics were written to mean but I think they speak to how I have felt since Jesus first came into my life and how I still feel today. A fire was lit in my heart on that day that sometimes seems to burnsa little less and at other times burns with an intensity that is overwhelming. A fire calling me to dare dream of all that Christ can do, if I will let him, with me. Even in the times when I have struggled with people, with systems, with church or with life, that fire has not gone out and seems to encourage me in all of those times. It calls me to tell others, to want to see lives changed and hearts touched for Christ.



How often have I tried to rely on my own abilities? Far too often. But always I am reminded of whose I am and who has set the fire in me that sustains and nourishes my life in him, Christ. But unlike the words of a well known "Queen" song "Its better to burn out than to fade away", we are not meant to burn out with our own efforts, but to rely on God's power. Yes we will fade one day, but Christ is the one to whom the glory for all that we do must go and our prize is awaiting us in heaven.

If you are struggling or facing difficult times, if you are seeing great things as Christ works through you or if your are wondering if he could ever do anything with or through you; then I encourage you, look again for that fire that burns deep within, the fire of the Holy Spirit that all who believe in Jesus have been given. Dare to believe that there are greater things still to come as you serve the one who loves you.

We were born for greater things
We were born to chase Your dreams
Come my Lord, awaken holy fire

We are turning from our sin
We are praying once again
Come my Lord, awaken holy fire

We are aching for the real thing
Hearts are open wide