The imagery is in our songs and catch phrases, this idea of being “on fire” for God. I don’t know when it first became popular in Christian circles—maybe during the Jesus Movement of the 1970s, maybe some other time.
Intertwining fire with faith not a new idea, of course. The disciples on the road to Emmaus said they felt their “hearts burning” as Jesus explained the scriptures to them (Luke 24:32). When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, tongues of fire rested on the disciples (Acts 2:2-4).
The Bible also speaks often of the “refiner’s fire”—the work of God that tests and shapes our faith and character. And God Himself is described as “a consuming fire” in Hebrews 12:29.
Even so, none of these have to do with that passionate, “on-fire” feeling frequently associated with youth camps and mountaintop experiences. I’m not denying such feelings exist—they’re real, valid and sometimes life-changing. But because they’re not necessarily sustainable, not having them can often be a source of guilt.
Don’t get me wrong: Heart-felt devotion to Jesus is important. Revelation 3:16 talks about the danger of letting our faith becoming lukewarm, rather than being hot or cold. And Romans 12:11-12 gives us some pretty detailed instructions about how to avoid this condition: “Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.” (NIRV)
Unfortunately, what is sometimes overlooked in conversations about having fires in our hearts—or, as other translations put it, being “fervent in spirit”—is that there is no one-size-fits all approach to this. So many things factor into the equation of how we worship, how we speak and write about our faith, how we serve, how we read the Bible and how we relate to God individually.
Upbringing, personality and season of life all play a role, some larger than others.
For example, although I get pretty excited about certain topics, activities and people, I don’t know that I’ve ever used the words on fire to describe myself—about anything, really. It’s just not how I’m wired.
I’m usually OK with this, but sometimes my perspective needs a little tweaking. During one of those seasons in the wilderness when the best I could do was keep putting one foot in front of the other, I came to a simple realization: A lack of spiritual energy doesn’t mean you’re dead. It might just mean you’re tired.
Feelings come and feelings go, don’t they? We may feel like we’re “on fire” for God today; we may not tomorrow.
What matters most—when we’re slogging through a long drought of the soul or enjoying an amazingly fruitful season—is that we’re working on our relationship with God just like we work on any other relationship that is important to us—with consistency, purpose and diligence.
As Eugene Peterson explains in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, this process is what results in deeper intimacy with God:
“We think that if we don’t feel something there can be no authenticity in doing it,” he writes. “But the wisdom of God says something different: that we can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting. Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an act of worship. When we obey the command to praise God in worship, our deep, essential need to be in relationship with God is nurtured.”
It’s counterintuitive, for sure. But it is worth the effort—especially over the long haul.
♥ Lois
A lack of spiritual energy doesn’t mean you’re dead. It might just mean you’re tired. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with Let’s Have Coffee, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.
22 comments
I love the reminder that what matters – even in the “drought of soul” times – is consistently working on our relationship with Christ. Faithfully showing up to meet with Him, to listen for Him and doing what we know He has asked.
Amen, Jennifer. Not judging our obedience on feelings definitely takes some of the pressure off, doesn’t it?
“We can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting.” What an awesome and honest quote. I shared a quote this week by Stephen Covey about how doing love can lead to feeling love. Great post, Lois!
Thanks, Deb! I’m reading Mere Christianity right now (for the first time), and C.S. Lewis writes some similar words about love. It goes against so much of what our feelings-driven culture emphasizes, but it does work, doesn’t it?
Amen – and we do get tired, but just like in any relationship, that doesn’t mean it’s over. It doesn’t mean we give up, it just means we are happy together. Real relationships have periods of resting comfortably and don’t require fulltime highs. I think that’s important to remember. Love this post!
That’s such a great point, Heather. Thanks your kind words, and also for adding your perspective here last week!
Agreed, Lois, definitely worth the effort!!
Good to hear from you last week, Kelly! 🙂
Lois, yes, this is so very wise –.’ A lack of spiritual energy doesn’t mean you’re dead. It might just mean you’re tired.’
And to take note of that and to understand the truth of where we find ourselves is a beautiful gift. And He is with us, cradling us, giving us strength to sustain.
Joy comes in the morning …
Aw … what a comforting thought this very morning, Linda. Hugs, friend. 🙂
Lois- your words about not feeling spiritual energy could be because we are tired are so good. And then you back it up with that quote from Eugene Peterson. So good! Mountaintop moments are few and not everyone experiences them, but we all can experience authenticity in our relationship with God.
That’s so true, Mary. And the blessings of that close relationship with God last so much longer than the fleeting high of the mountaintop experience, don’t they?
Lois, such a great post. Our feelings can be deceptive. If we feel like we should be on fire, but we’re not, the condemnation that can come from that is disheartening. If we are elated about something we just heard or experienced, that is a fading emotion. I appreciate the reminder that the consistent growing in relationship with God is the more important thing. God’s looking at our hearts. I want my heart to be fervent for Him, in the excited ups of life and the weary seasons of life.
Me too, Jeanne! Thanks for adding your wisdom to this conversation. I’m praying for you today, my friend.
” We can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting.” I have this phrase underlined in my copy of Long Obedience to the point where I’m likely to wear through the paper. I’m slow to catch fire on anything, and sometimes I wonder if I’m not passionate enough, but then there’s the whole property of physics that fires need constant fuel and they CONSUME what they burn. In my thinking, it’s better to act in obedience, as Peterson says, whether I’m “feeling” it or not, and then still have something left over so I can vacuum the floor and not bite someone’s head off if they need homework help.
I’m glad you’re reading Peterson. I’m almost through Run with the Horses and already strategizing my next Peterson read.
I agree, Michele … that is one powerful quote! I actually read it in a church bulletin, not in the actual book. But I’ve put a hold on the book at my local library, and I am very much looking forward to reading it. 🙂 Your thoughts about fire made me nod and smile … I feel the same about the importance having enough in reserve to respond nicely to requests for homework help (or whatever urgent need has suddenly come up)!
This is a great post, Lois! We do need to be careful that we don’t make it all about our feelings. It is definitely worth the effort to keep persevering even in those times when we’re not feeling it as much as we want to, knowing that God is the same no matter how we feel.
Thanks, Lesley! “God is the same no matter how we feel.” What a comfort and a blessing that is!
Thank you for this Lois! Timely and encouraging. It’s too easy to judge ourselves and others about zealousness. You’re right- worship does differ, by person and by season too. Thankful God is less concerned with our pep and our relationship with Him.
I agree, Bethany … if our relationship with God was judged on “pep,” I’d be in trouble! 🙂
Wow, Lois – thank you! This will definitely stick with me “…we can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting. Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an act of worship.”
Good morning, Alyson. That’s a powerful thought, isn’t it? Good to hear from you today!