THERE’S A BURNING...

Why the tears that catch me unaware? I’m the one who would not—could not—cry. Even personal attacks are set aside with no bothersome tears.

Yet, the simplest things like a child, a thought of worship—holy things in some profound way slip past my controls and bathe my eyes in tears.

My voice that has held steady before captors and debated clearly before courts and rulers, this same voice tightens and breaks at gentle things of love. A fiery knot strangles the sound.

There’s a burning—yes, that’s it. There is an awesome kind of burning that Holy things ignite. Its blaze brings tears and parches my vocal cords.

Oh, the force of it, this burning in my heart.

Shall I be consumed of it?

Ah, the comforting thought, I remember that Moses’ burning bush was not left a pile of charred twigs.

That fire sparked events that would bring a nation out of slavery.
And, yes, I remember the cloven tongues of fire did not destroy the ones who tarried in the Upper Room.

Rather, that fire ignited the early church so that it spread the Word of Life even to the heads of the oppressive government. Thousands were added daily.

Dare I believe that just like the burning bush and cloven tongues of fire started new and grand things, that this fire now raging in my heart will give new energy to the call of God on my life?

Can it be that the events compare?

I do, I do believe that God is giving me the Holy Spirit’s fire to energize a deeper level of ministry.

I purpose now to let that fire take hold of me, even if it were to char my flesh, to take the Word to a needy world.

O flaming tongues that danced
On Moses’ burning bush
And filled the Upper Room
With a mighty sounding rush,
Ignite my ready heart
And set my soul ablaze!
Come prompt my willing tongue
And fill my voice with praise!