That i can't contain,
That I can't control,
I want more of You God,
I want more of You God.
These are the words of a song that I was listening to the other day. The song consists of one other verse or chorus, not sure how to really tell the difference, but anyway, it is so simple, yet if we can really see this happen in our lives.. What might this world look like? What might my life and the lives of all the others around me look like?
A fire that I cannot contain or cannot control. Seems a little wild.
A little Dangerous.
It brings to mind the image of a bushfire, which for you Australians reading this can recall, is one spark away from ravaging the earth, and consuming all in it's path. It is unpredictable, and almost impossible to gain control of.
What if our Christian walk looked like this? What if, instead of comfort, instead of a quiet predictable existence, we looked like an out of control consuming fire, devouring all in its path.
It would mean a few things for us. Which in all honesty scare me more than I would care to admit.
It means... That we would lose control. One of the most frightening things in life is when we are in a situation, and we have no control over how it might turn out.
A fire that cannot be contained, means that we may do some embarrassing things. We cannot contain what is inside us, we must share it, spread it, show others of this fire, the fire that gives life, while taking away death. That destroys any opposition. It is infectious, causing other spotfires to begin to light all around you.
I dare say that deep down we do desire this, we desire a life of abandonment to God, yet we hold on to our control, to our situations, to our dignity. And that can be the sadest thing thing that could ever happen to us.
When we refuse to let the lgiht shine out of us, we become shadows of who we are created to be.
When we accept this fire, and all that goes with it, we become alive, shining forth with a brightness and intensity of life that shocks all those around us, and draws them in.
This week I have been wanting to hear more of God's voice. So I started to seek Him more, yes in quiet times in the morning with Him, but taking time out of my day, 10 minutes here, a few minutes there and asking if God is saying anything, if there is anything that He wants me to do or say.
Me and a few other were at the beach on Saturday doing promo for Youth Street, a youth program that YWAM Newcsatle runs every staurday, and we saw a girl walking alone down the beach. I confess I thought it odd, but didn't spend the time to ask God what was going on. Luckily for me, my friend Brooke had the wisdom where I did not, and said to us that she felt to go and talk to this girl, that God did have something to say. So we prayed about what to tell her. I got the feeling to tell her that it was all going to be ok, that God is there. He cares and she is not alone. So Brooke went to talk with this lonely soul walking the shore. As it turns out she is an American student going to university here, and was feeling very homesick, it was exactly what she needed to hear.
Another story is later that night, during some ministry time afte the service, I went to go pray for one of the crew (the youth). I spoke to him what I felt God say to me, and he told me afterwards that all week he had been seeking God for how God saw him. God had been telling him something, but he did not believe it, he could not see himself as that person of boldness and strength. Yet the very first words out of my mouth were those that God had spoken to him earlier that week.
When we position ourselves to listen, to take time out to listen to the still small voice, to ask God what is on His mind, we see that we are acutally in a position to change the whole course of somebody's life. To show the love and care of our mighty God to those who need to hear HIm. Who need a touch from Him. I have no doubt that those two poeple's lives will not be the same.
I am only starting to grasp that God calls us to be a light everywhere that we walk. Yes I knew it before, but now true understanding is growing, and understanding is always accompanied by action. We are the light of the world, we are the peacemakers, we are the chosen ones called to bring life and hope to the world. Will we take the time to listen? The challenge is to all who wish for a life of fruit and effectiveness. Let us together hear God's voice, and see how this world will change.
That is the challenge I leave with you, how can we as followers and keepers of God's light, of His love and His fire share that to the world, what mggiht it look like for you? It meant stepping out of my comfort zone, it meant laying down some of my rights to rest and instead turn my ear to the whisper, but it was worth it. That whisper is more valuable than gold, more treasured than diamonds. It brings life, it brings love, it brings hope.
It is all that you need.
Peace,
Daniel.