We Didn’t Start the Fire . . . But We Keep It Going

I built many fires during the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-January of 2021, when it was twenty degrees outside, how else were my students and I to stay warm in my Michigan backyard during spiritual direction? Those bonfires were big! Each started with a spark from a match. The spark caught the rolled-up newspaper,  which then ignited the walnut sticks and the oak kindling. Flames shot up. The light was bright. I threw on oak and cherry. Loads of logs later, a pile of coals began to glow and glimmer. Only then did we begin to get warm from the fire’s heat. 

The author of Luke/Acts might tell you that discipleship is like that fire. In the early days of the church, the spark of the Spirit ignited the apostles at Pentecost. The gospel shot out to the ends of the earth in a bright flare. Jesus’ followers glowed with the light of love. Folks burned with the faith and the flame grew. 

By the time that Luke was old, loads of logs had been thrown on that fire: his companion Paul had been killed, Peter had been crucified.  Stories of martyrs spread: tales of those who gave up family, reports of those who gave up possessions, legends of those who gave their lives in allegiance to that Name. The flame of faith glowed from the coals of martyrdom. And that fire warmed the world. 

People began to ask, Who is this man Jesus whose followers are willing to die for him? Who is this Holy Spirit who ignites such courage in such ordinary folks? 

Luke had to make Jesus’ story known. He had seen the Holy Spirit transform believers. Those early years of enthusiasm had matured into glowing coals of martyrdom. The message? Follow Jesus. Take the path of the cross. Know that it was costly for Jesus. Know that it will be costly for you. Count that cost. Know that it could mean your life. Follow anyway.

Consider/Discuss 

• To us in the twenty-first century, Jesus’ conditions for discipleship in Luke’s  Gospel might seem harsh: give up family, possessions, life. To the first-century Christians, it was the reality of their lives. By the time that Luke wrote it down, it had become their history. In our time and place, what does committed discipleship look like? What does total allegiance to Jesus cost us? 
• We cannot conform ourselves to God’s will on our own strength. When have you felt the warmth of the Holy Spirit empowering you to be more than you thought you could be? How have you experienced the power of prayer to fuel that flame more brightly? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Lord, you ask much. At the same time, you give much. We are not abandoned to our own devices. Spirit of love, enflame our hearts for courage and bravery and strength. Lead us higher, lead us to be who you want us to be. You ask us to count the cost. You ask us to  be willing to follow you no matter the cost. We want to do that. We give ourselves to you again this day. Thank you for firing our hearts  and leading us forward.