Burn in Me

I’ll be brutally honest. I’ve been challenged in this season… in almost every sphere of my life. The most significant challenge has been a correction to my version of what it truly means to follow Jesus. I wonder if this hasn’t been true for many of us as the many distractions, responsibilities and even relationships in our lives have been stripped away.

What does it truly mean to take up of my cross and follow him? Do I have a view of the kingdom of God that’s bigger than my own quality of life, a love for Jesus so fierce that even death is worth it? What happens to the joy and faith in my heart if Jesus doesn’t come through like I need? If He doesn’t heal, provide and comfort like I think He should? Where’s my faith then?

Can you identify? Maybe life has not turned out how you thought it would. Maybe you’re facing unemployment, the loss of a business or the recent death of a loved one. Perhaps life quickly took a different path than you’d planned. Perhaps Jesus didn’t show up in your life like you’d expected Him to.

You’re not alone. I think many are finding themselves in this place of confusion, disappointment and, even grief right now.

So… the question and challenge for us is what do we do with suffering, hardship and loss when most of us were expecting “more” out of this overcoming, victorious Christian life? Will our worship suffer? Will our commitment wain? Will our faith shrink back and our love run cold?

These are the questions I sense Holy Spirit asking His people in 2020… and, honestly, sense the Spirit putting His convicting finger on my own heart.

Look at how overcoming Christians are described in Revelation…

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much
that they were afraid to die. Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

This description of what it means to be an overcoming believer leaves me exposed and found wanting. I’m ashamed of my own lackluster, self-centered version of following Jesus. What will it take for me to get to a place where I will not shrink from death for the cause of Christ?

This year has been a challenge for many of us and for some it’s been devastating. But, could God be using all that’s going on to shake those things in our lives that need to be shaken in order to leave only the unshakeable? Has He allowed much to be stripped away in order to provide a space for us to put the necessary fire on the wood of our love for Jesus and his eternal kingdom?

God wants to deliver me from me. And, He wants to deliver you from you. He wants to re-focus our hearts on Himself. No more living life for our own fulfillment and pleasure. Instead, let’s invite Him to burn in us until we burn for Him!