12/1: Campfires

Silence and Stillness before God (2 minutes)

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God [...] For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 
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​Written by Lori Kellogg: 

I've been sitting around a lot of campfires lately. I've watched how they burn and glow...how they give warmth and light...how when they are hot enough they can be used to roast marshmallows or cook food.
And yet to have a good campfire, one doesn't just arrange the logs, strike a match, and let it do its thing in one grand gesture...it needs to be carefully tended.  
It cannot be neglected or it may cause unintended harm...or burn out altogether.  And someone needs to keep adding logs when the flames begin to wane. 
I am learning that the light inside of me is like a campfire, too.  
I wish that my light was more like the Eternal Flame at the Olympics.  I wish it could light up in one grand ceremonial gesture...one Road of Damascus conversion event...one mountaintop experience...one glorious awakening to Jesus' love and grace in my life...and then my light could just burn on and on.  
But my campfire-like light needs to be tended. 
The logs on my campfire are prayer, solitude, meditation on God's scripture, and singing worship songs at the top of my lungs when only Jesus can hear it.  
Other logs are prioritizing care of my physical body and my mental health.  This includes rest, eating well, exercise, and taking my medicine. 
Engaging in creative pursuits like painting and drawing as well as reading good books...all these feed my internal flame.  
And when I tend my campfire well, others can receive the love of Jesus through me.  Without these logs, my fire wanes low...or causes unintended harm.
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world...a city on the hill...let your light so shine that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven."  
For me, this means that in order to love and serve others with good works that glorify God, I must tend my campfire-like light with care.
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Jesus, help me receive the gift of my limits and rest deeply in you, so that I might be a light to the world.

Conclude with Stillness (2 minutes)