my first blog ever!

Dan starts this week off on the topic of fire by defining it as “A life that is burning so hot, everything around us starts on fire.”  This makes me think of the life of the apostles as Jesus sends them out to minister to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.  The apostles were sent out, but not on their own strength, skills, and abilities. They were sent out with the power of the Holy Spirit.  As we continue to read on into their lives, everything around them was set on fire.  Sometimes people were saved and healed, but some set out to kill them because the message of the gospel convicted their consciences.

Dan opens this topic of fire and explains how the powerful work of one can be empowered by the Spirit.  He also goes on to explaining how our fire can affect and encourage others, but without controlling this fire it can take away from others.  Dan also talks of how Jesus draws for the Father’s power during His tempting.  He later says that “One doesn’t see their leadership strength until they are being tested.”  We are all going to be tested in one way or another.  Dan says that when we are tested “it is going to draw that fire out of you, and there is an empowering that occurs.”

The eBook asks the question, “What is it that puts fire in your bones, and gives you something worth dying for?”  I can solemnly say that it is worship for me.  I have invested five years of my life to our worship ministry, and I don’t know what I would do if I could not do it anymore.  My worship ministry has brought me to great heights and depths all at the same time.  Dan goes on later in the eBook with the statement “I’ve interacted with many of my friends around that world who, like me, have endured life-threatening battles with severe depression.”  I have to admit, out of all of this information that little bit of transparency was quite encouraging for me.  People like me don’t seem to have problems setting people on fire, encouraging others, and allowing the Holy Spirit to consume their lives.  On the other hand, at the end of the day I sometimes find myself in great valleys.  I find myself questioning what I am doing.  Am I wasting my life for something that other people take for granted?  Is all of this worth the small sum of money that I get in my paycheck?  How am I going to provide for my family?

Although I find myself in great depression sometimes, I always seem to have enough strength to continue on.  I know that I will not be content working in a factory or being a History teacher.  The Holy Spirit constantly fuels the fire He has set in me to continue the work that He will finish.  I will not, nor could I carry on without the fire that God provides.  I must admit it is hard sometimes being the only person with fire.  I dream someday that I meet someone else with the same or even more fire than I have.  Glory to God!!