Category: Wisdom

It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing

So goes a lovely old song from the 60’s, (called to our attention by Debby) when everyone thought of turning to Jesus Christ for help with the draft, drugs, disappointments, discouragement, disillusionment, and all other general “dissed” problems during the VietNam era.

A few were serious about the “Jesus Movement”. A few were appalled that so many who claimed Christ were not wearing shoes. Oh NO! How uncouth! Surely there is a place in the Bible that requires wearing shoes! Oh, you mean it speaks more of taking them off?! Oh NO!

Some were serious, though,  seriously messed up, seriously failing, seriously in need of something beyond shoes, something beyond rules, something beyond platitudes, something beyond this life, something beyond their own understanding, something beyond their own strength or ability.

Not much has changed.

Many refuse to turn to Jesus Christ because they fear appearing weak.

They are weak. All people are weak.

But they want to be among those who project an image of strength, of not being needy. It’s a strained, do-by-self image that almost everyone can see through, but they keep it up for the few they’ve duped.

Although He is the most beautiful, priceless, glorious discovery anyone can discover, they refuse to lay self down, to lose face.

To their loss.

How ironic to fear loss and in the process to lose the most valuable thing, like a monkey with his hand in a monkey trap, unable to run from poachers because there is something that glitters in that empty coconut . . .

__________

Let me tell you about a one-spark fire. (And while we’re at it, you might like to read James 3:1-12)

My husband can build a one-spark fire. He’s an expert. He built one before we left for a four-day trip, so when we arrived back home, it took just one spark to get that fire going . . .  and he hopes to build another tonight, and he probably will, to transfer our fire from the romantic fireplace to the more efficient stove.

This is how he does it:

1. Clear out lots of the ash so air can circulate under the grill work in the fireplace.
2. Loosely crumble newspaper over that.
3. Add “rich pine”, a sort of hyper-torch type wood found at the base of dead pine trees.
4. Add several pieces of small limbs.
5. Add some smaller, round logs.
6. Loosely crumble just a page or two of newspaper for over all that.

This combo, done as only he truly can do it (I know the process, but he owns it) will ignite with only one match. Guaranteed.

Now, think of yourself.

You are supposed to be a one-spark set of fuel for the spark of the Holy Spirit to ignite you and cause you to shine and warm others for God. What is missing from your stack? Has your past stolen parts of you? I know how that can be.

BUT — All “Do-By-Self’ers” BEWARE! — Spontaneous Generation was disproven, centuries ago.