Have you even had days that are so filled with pain and problems that you wanted to escape to a cave, crawl in bed and not come out, or just hide (or die)? Thursday was one of those days for me. But instead of cancelling our Spirit-Driven Thurch night with young adults, I built a fire. I knew God wanted me to help my friends to understand what it means to “fan into flames” their God-given gifts, but I had no idea what would transpire around the fire.
As I kept adding more wood to the fire, the conversations went from ancient words in Scripture to incredibly honest and affirming words that were spoken directly to one another. What sparked and transformed the conversation was when my dear friend, Naomi, shared one of her Camp Bethany stories. Twice a year, the camp counselors take turns sharing how they see the Spirit and life of Christ living in each other’s lives. Since I go from one spontaneous moment to the next, I invited our group to try it. And we spent the rest of the night taking turns affirming one another. As truth was directly spoken in love, each one contributed to the building up, validating, and affirming of one another.
As the fire was burning down, we joined hands and prayed giving thanks to God for what He did in and through our community of friends. I noticed that the fire was now burning strong inside us. Fear and timidity were replaced with power, love, and sound thinking. My pain and problems disappeared. I discovered how the life of Christ living in me has impacted people, and I rediscovered just how important biblical and relational affirmation can be. Watching my friends love one another through words of affirmation taught me so much about the essence of who they were.
We were made in God’s loving image to love another in words and actions. And I saw this powerfully demonstrated in our group. After getting the group’s permission to share our story and picture, my hope is to set in motion a new spiritual discipline. Develop the daily practice of looking for God at work in people’s lives. As you see or smell the fire, even if it’s just smoldering, add some wood to their fire by helping them see the good God is doing in and through them. They may not be used to getting such honest, spiritual feedback, but God will use it to help fan into flames the gifts and work of His Spirit that’s living in them.
How are you like God?
How do you see God at work in His people around you?
Why don’t you tell them?