“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized” – Luke 12:49-50
One of the images that we also hear of the Holy Spirit is this fire, and we like the idea of a fire, the fire of the Holy Spirit. But if a fire begins to rage, the first thing we try to do is get it under control.
Sometimes I think we do the exact same thing with the Holy Spirit. We like the idea of the Holy Spirit really moving and bringing His presence and bringing whatever—change, conversion, healing, or whatever. We call in prayer and song for the Holy Spirit to “Let the Fire Fall”, and to “set our hearts ablaze.”
But the actual lived experience makes us nervous. When we feel that fire kindling up within, how often do we tamp it down?
We want to know exactly what’s going to happen and what it’s going to look like. But the reality is, it often doesn’t work like that.
God wants our hearts blazing in the Holy Spirit. He wants us aflame in His love. He wants us to be kindling that spreads the holy fire to other souls and throughout the whole world. But, when we feel a warmth inside, we run away and try to control it.
Instead of letting this Fire blaze and spread freely, we try to put Him in a small controlled box – a fireplace with a chimney that lets out the extra heat and smoke.
“There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.” – Exodus 3:2
If we saw the burning bush, we’d run to put it out.
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” – Acts 2:3-4
Instead, we need to call down from Heaven the Fire, Holy Fire, of the Holy Spirit and be consumed. We need to be transformed from the hard barked logs into the very Fire Himself.
Then, being consumed and transformed, we need to unabashedly spread this Fire. Some may condemn you as an arsonist. But, those who accept this spark will be transformed, praising God and thanking you.
Then, maybe, the world will be consumed in the Holy Spirit’s Fire. And then the answer to Jesus’ question will be a strong YES!
“when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” – Luke 18:8