So, let's state the obvious....I haven't posted all summer!!!! That's not to say that we haven't been busy, it just simply means I haven't posted about it. We've traveled out of state (I've been to 3 states this summer, other than the one I live in!), we've seen family, we've seen attractions, and we've done day to day life. Somewhere in all of that action, I was known to pause and say, "This would make a great blog post!" And then, something different would happen, the Lord would show me something from Him as well. My goal is to at least once a week (hehehe) post about our different summer happenings, and with it, applicable life lessons that the Lord has shared with me.
First up...."For our God is a consuming fire." ---Hebrews 12:29
This past year, the Navy purchased land that is down the road from where I live, and all of the homeowners were asked to sell and relocate to accommodate a new airport facility of some sort. Our local fire department was allowed to use some of the structures for training purposes. The boys and I accompanied Derrick one of these training days. When we got there, we saw the firefighters preparing the ground around the structure. Making sure the structure was clear of people or anything else of value. The windows had been boarded up and the tin removed from the roof. Other departments came for training as well. It was a big day. The firemen had several steps to take, leading up to the lighting of the structure. This house was really nice, and holds lots of memories for a family I know.
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| The house before training. |
Finally, after about two hours of preparation and training, and lots of smoke, we begin to see the first flames.
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| First Flames |
Then suddenly, after those first few flames started to show, the whole roof erupted!!!
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| Erupting. |
Then, a few minutes later, (and after we took selfies and made pictures of firefighters on the porch!!!) the whole roof collapsed.
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| The roof. |
We sat back and watched the house continue to burn. I took 100 pictures. It was amazing. It was ironic watching those firefighters watch a structure burn!!! But then, just like that, it was over.
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| The remains. |
Now, I shared all of this to say first of all, to understand the context of the verse, read Hebrews 12. But the Holy Spirit showed me the 29th verse alone: "For our God is a consuming fire." Consume means "completely filling one's mind and attention; absorbing."It is my desire to have God consume me with His fire, like the picture where the roof is collapsed, until He has me the way He wants me to be. To burn up the unholy flesh of mine, and cleanse me to be the light and example of Jesus that He desires to see. God is only good. He wants us to trust Him fully and give Him full control, but at the same time, He wants us to make the decisions ourselves on how to live. Well, in Him I live, in Him I move, in Christ, I have my very being. It's more than motions, it's more than church. He is a consuming fire, consuming all of my thoughts, hopes, and emotions. Consuming my soul. Consuming me. It's a process. I know this. The ground had to be prepared. The house had to be prepared. We should be prepared as well. Then suddenly, give our lives totally to Him, and see who He really is!!!
It's simple really, but this is what I felt lead to share. Let Him consume you. Wholly. Truly.
