What sets your soul on fire?
No, seriously, I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately and I’m curious to know… What makes your heart come alive? You know… PASSION! Real passion. Is it your job, your family, your faith?
I don’t mean the titles we give ourselves as people… rather, what ignites your heart as an individual?
What is it for YOU?
To hone in on that answer has my curiosity at a peak, as I’ve been thinking a lot about what ignites passion in me.
As a first-time mom, with an almost two-year-old, I’m beginning to share my passion with our daughter as she grows. She’s becoming more aware. She lip-syncs in the car now, mocking me, as she raises her hands in worship to the same CD that’s been on repeat for a month. I caught her hanging out in her room, amongst her books, doing “Bible study” – unaware she even knew how to say those words. She’s watching, and I’m noticing.
That passion in you and me is powerful. It’s contagious. That Set-Your-Soul-On-Fire feeling, comes for me when I see Jesus in the details of the day-to-day. The “coincidences” that are just too big to be coincidence, and the lightbulb-moments I get when I’ve spent time in the word, seeking after God’s heart. The moments when something happens that brings it full circle so that the scripture I just read, makes perfect and complete sense. When the lyrics are no longer lyrics, but speak truth about a Father who makes ALL things new: I once was blind and now I see, once was lost and now I’m found… It’s in those moments where my faith comes alive and my trust grows deeper still, as I’m satisfied in Christ alone.
So, what is it for YOU?
What makes your soul come alive?
What encourages your heart and how do you share that passion with others?
Are you making time to make that passion a reality? Is it buried under a To–Do list?
What sets your soul on fire? Does it start with being in the word? What if it did?
What if all your strength, all your encouragement, all the direction and sense of worth you ever needed came from sitting still to listen and obey? To read and really dig in to a love letter, written with YOU in mind– knowing that as you read your bible, His word will not return void. (Isaiah 55:11)
That seed will indeed produce a harvest in you. (Hebrews 12:11)
Christ has set a good work in you and He is faithful to complete it. (Psalm 138:8)
This New Year, my friend, go chase Jesus with intense fervor! Go give Him everything you’ve got. Don’t hold back. Don’t hesitate. Grow. Seek. Keep asking and praying. Pray! Pray big, impossible prayers that the Father will ignite a fire in you that cannot be put out. Surrender what feels impossible, those things that trip you up: those hurts, and wants, and needs. Dig deeper, drawing from a well that never runs dry, (John 4:15) knowing that we serve a God who makes the impossible, possible. Nothing is too big for our sweet Savior, because what is impossible with man is possible with God. (Luke 18:27)
This Christmas, maybe it’s a truly joyful season and you’re giddy about celebrating Jesus’ birthday.
Maybe you’re overwhelmed, caught up in travel plans and last minute packages?
Maybe you’re lonely and longing for something different this season?
However this little post finds you, I’m grateful for the privilege we have to sit at Jesus’ feet, in any state, and at anytime. That you and I can come boldly before the throne of grace, and receive mercy, and find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16) We get to come boldly, and talk with Jesus whenever, wherever, however we can! We get to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), talking openly with the Lord of All, the one who sets your soul on fire and puts a burning in our hearts to know Him more. He is the only one that satisfies.
So, come dig in… COME, LET US ADORE HIM!
Let us make room for Him!
…in the middle of the hustle, among the lights, and the noise…
We’ll make Jesus first, and be women who are well watered by His word.
Fruitful women, who are deeply rooted, falling deeper in love with Jesus. (Colossians 1:9-11)
This New Year… this next hour… each opportunity you find, I encourage you to exchange all that’s fleeting for the Word made Flesh (John 1:14), and let your passion and purpose for 2017 be one that draws you nearer to Christ.
Merry Christmas, my friend! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Grace Enough 