Sunday Writing by Jan Andersen... 6/4/17

Today's devotional entitled "FAN THE FLAME" is written by Jan Andersen.  In it she describes how fanning the flame can be a negative or a positive thing.  She then talks about Pentecost, when through wind and flame the gift of baptism with the Holy Spirit was given by God to the apostles.  She writes, "Wind and tongues of fire - fanning the flame of the gift of the Spirit - enabling the sharing of faith."

May you fan the right flames this week!

Blessings,
Jan and Corinne

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Today's Devotional:

"FAN THE FLAME"

by

Jan Andersen

To fan the flame usually means to make a situation worse.  Literally, fanning a flame can make a fire more intense.  Figuratively it could mean that your words or actions stir things up, intensifying feelings, exacerbating an already explosive situation.  Even if we say or do nothing at all, that can work against cooling things off, as that can be interpreted by others to have its own meaning about the issue.  We have had quite a few examples of these things recently in the news, such as three different comedians in the past month: one making sexualized jokes about two male world leaders; another holding up a disgusting insensitive prop that might encourage an assassination; a third using words that are racially inappropriate; all of these happening at politically charged times around these things.  Also in the line of fire are the people who did not immediately condemn these actions.  By their lack of response they have become targets of criticism and fanned the flames as well.

Lest we puff ourselves up with righteous indignation, let's take a look at our own side of the street.  How many times have we joined in on gossip, adding our own little two cents worth?  Perhaps we haven't come to their defense and just sat there and listened.  Alternatively, maybe we have been in a discussion and taken something too personally.  Then instead of clarifying what was said, we simply became hurt or angry and acted out on those misdirected feelings.  Another example may be that we have had an issue with a loved one but instead of talking with them about it we have stewed about it for so long that it came out in passive-aggressive behavior, or even a fiery explosion.  Our silence in that instance would have been fanning our own internal flames.  

Fanning the flame actually sometimes can be a good thing.  Taken literally, when out camping we might need to start a fire to cook or keep warm.  We gather tinder and light it, gently blowing on it to catch the kindling on fire until the flames ignite the larger wood and make a sustainable campfire.  Sometimes lighting that fire would be a matter of life or death, survival in the wilderness.  Figuratively, a good fanning of the flame can mean we have started something beneficial and are providing it with the fuel needed to help it grow into something bigger and better.  

Then there is the flame that God gives.  Right before Jesus ascended into heaven, he said his Father promised to send the gift of baptism with the Holy Spirit.  Ten days later when the apostles gathered on Pentecost, there was a rush of violent wind from heaven and tongues of fire appeared on each of them, and filled with the Holy Spirit they began speaking in other tongues so that the Jews from every nation could understand them in their own languages.  Wind and tongues of fire - fanning the flame of the gift of the Spirit - enabling the sharing of faith.  That same Spirit empowers us to love others and to live a life of self-discipline.

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:5-8a  (NIV),  "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which... I am persuaded now lives in you.  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord."

So fan the flame of the Holy Spirit in your life, but don't blow so hard that you put it out!

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, planting faith in your son Jesus in my heart and helping me to share that faith with others.  Help me to love others as you first loved me and to live a life of self-discipline in thanks and as a good witness to them.  Thank you for forgiving me when I fail and for fanning the flame of faith within me.  In Jesus' name,  Amen.

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Song: 

Consuming Fire

Hillsong United/Tim Hughes

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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