Fanning The Flame In Those Around Us


Growing up our primary source of heat was always a wood stove. It's still pretty common in rural communities. The picture above is of my cousin Naomi a few years ago bringing in firewood. Fire provides a heat unlike any other I've ever experienced. We used to say it heated our bones.

When you heat with wood you "bank" the stove at night. This involves packing the wood in tightly, and then closing the dampers on the stove and the chimney flue so that the amount of airflow is greatly reduced. When you do this the fire burns very slowly, and the amount of heat is considerably reduced, but it lasts all night. It's 15 degrees outside right now, and we've had single digit temperatures recently with more on the way. In this type of weather your home can get pretty cold overnight. In the morning job #1 is to get that fire going.

Sometimes when you open the stove there appears to be nothing left. There's no fire, and the remaining embers are all black. That's when you stir them up and start blowing on them. What appears to be completely out will begin to glow and a flame will return. You can't give up on the embers too quickly.

God is a lot like that with people. Even when someone appears to have nothing left to offer he comes in and fans the flame. He rekindles the fire. He knows we can still blaze for his glory.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6

Just as God never gives up on us, it's important we don't give up too quickly on others. This is true for all of us, but especially for leaders. Those we care for and lead in life may die down, but God never gives up on them. It's important for us to not throw the towel in too quickly as well. Of course I'm not talking about leaving yourself in a dangerous or abusive situation. Get help when you need it. But over the years I've seen some people become great employees, ministry leaders in church, and more by not giving up on them. I've seen marriages end up strong when a spouse didn't give up on the other. 

As we enter the new year there is always a lot of talk about new things, new direction, and a new me. Don't give up too quickly on what's old, and especially not on who's been around a while. Remembering all along that God has never given up on you.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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