RETURN TO THE SOURCE III

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

The disciples had spent three years living with Jesus, being taught and trained by him.  The listened to his teachings first hand, learned how to pray, ate with him, and fellowshipped with him, and yet when the rubber hit the road, they all failed him.  Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him, and all of them except John deserted him at the cross.  So what was the good of all that teaching and training?  Even Peter was hopeless and decided to return to his life as a fisherman.  But then something happened that changed everything for the disciples and for the world.  “The day of Pentecost arrived; they were all in one place…tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  And they were filled with the Holy Spirit.” 

They began to proclaim the mighty works of God; they began to speak forth the words of Jesus that they had listened to for three years; they began to explain the divine plan that God developed for the salvation of the world, so that people could be reconciled with the God whom they had forsaken.  The flame of the Holy Spirit ignited the fuel that had been carefully laid by Jesus for three years in the hearts and minds of these disciples.

Both the fuel of the teaching and training and the flame of the Holy Spirit were absolutely necessary to prepare them for their message and mission to the world.  If the disciples had not been taught about the mighty works of God or about God’s plan for salvation and reconciliation, what would they have to share to others when the Spirit ignited them?  All they would have at their disposal would be some good fishing stories, advice on tax collecting, and other personal experiences or observations.  These might have been entertaining and interesting, but hardly life changing.

Good spiritual disciples and practices can be helpful but they are insufficient in transforming lives or in having a deep relationship with God.  They are like the log, tinder, and kindling laid for a good campfire; they look good but lie there worthless until a match lights them.  But equally insufficient is simply sitting with occupied minds expecting the flame of the Spirit to descend and enlighten one.  That is like holding a lit match and then watching it burn out because it had nothing to ignite; a momentarily bright but fleeting enlightenment. 

The campfire needs the fuel and the fuel needs the match.  Then the campfire will be sufficient to do its thing; cook a meal, provide heat for the brisk night, provide light in the dark, and provide a welcoming place for kids to gather together to sing songs, tell stories, and simply sit and enjoy the space and time.

The community needs the fuel of the teachings, the prayer, the breaking of bread, and the fellowship just as those disciplines and practices need the flame of the Spirit.  Then the people gathered together to worship will be sufficient to do their thing; love God with all their heart, mind, and strength, be light and salt to the world, and love one another, enjoying and being enriched by their time gathered together. 

QUERY

Am I personally providing fuel in my heart, mind, and soul for the Spirit to ignite so that I will speak of the great works of God to encourage others and be light and salt to a dark and tasteless world?