On Fire
February 13th, 2006 7
There’s a song by one of my favorite bands Switchfoot called ‘On Fire’. It’s about God.
And you’re on fire
When He’s near you
You’re on fire
When He speaks
You’re on fire
Burning at these mysteries
I never really knew what this song was about. I understood that the guy was quite excited about being close to God, but really couldn’t relate to it. Yeah, I’d had some experience with God, the odd encounter, but not any kind of burning passion. Not being on fire. The thing is, I kind of half expected to feel different being a Christian, that I’d suddenly become holy, that I’d receive the answers to all of life’s questions. But, of course, I didn’t. In fact, I really didn’t fell any different at all.
I’ve got to admit, I thought it would be easy, and life as a Christian would just involve a bit of singing and praying on a Sunday morning. There would be no real effort, but I could still reap the rewards at the end. I really wasn’t expecting it to be this tough. I really wasn’t expecting to feel embarrassed of telling people about my faith, or the whole new world of questions it opened up. I wanted answers, not more questions. I guess that’s why a lot of people go to God, looking for answers. I guess that’s why a lot of people turn to other things; Drugs, money, sex, new age therapies. Looking for answers, looking for validation, looking for that most valuable yet fleeting of commodities: Happiness.
The thing is, God never promises answers or happiness. In fact, the only unconditional promise in the Bible is that there will be suffering while we’re on the earth. Well, no disputing that.
So why bother? I suppose the obvious answer is the “big reward” at the end. But it’s not really about that. I can’t conceive of heaven or the after life at the moment, it’s just something I don’t really spend a lot of my time thinking about. To be honest, I still spend a lot of my time thinking about how I’m feeling: happy, sad, hungry, messy, tired, ill, depressed, joyous, horney, in love. Whatever. You know, I’m sure you feel all this stuff (and more) too. So really, why bother? It says in the Bible that all you have to do is believe in Jesus, and you’ll be saved. Couldn’t I just spend a few more years of doing whatever I wanted, making me happy, then believe at the end? Best of both worlds, right?
Well, yeah, I suppose you could, I wouldn’t want to, but this is what some people choose to do. I’m starting to understand being on fire. The knowledge that God is with me. It’s not that He’s gonna protect me from any shit that happens to fly my way, but He’ll always be there to teach me something through it, to bring good from the bad. I’m slowly starting to understand that God is for me not against me. And I’m slowly starting to feel on fire that little bit more.
7 Comments (+0 in the moderation queue).
#1 On February 13th, 2006 at 12:31 pm Starberri said...
Sounds like you’ve been reading Romans 8! You go boy!
And erm, apologies in advance but it’s “horny”. I don’t think there’s two ways of spelling it.
#2 On February 13th, 2006 at 12:54 pm Starberri said...
Oh and I just wanted to add that a fire grows when you feed it.
#3 On February 13th, 2006 at 2:22 pm Rachel said...
I can totally relate to what you have said here… I think the first time i walked with God thats just how i felt and then after 7yrs of doing it my way and I came back I found my fire was burning brightly and i was running with it…. and i can say it just keeps getting better and better…
Gods awsome and i wouldnt want to be doing my life any other way …
#4 On February 14th, 2006 at 5:04 pm rob said...
Interesting view point. I am not a Christain, raised as one but turned away from my religion. Didn’t turn to any other things like Drugs, sex, etc. to find answers or happieness, but to people, helping and listining. May have turned away from my religion but I am a full of faith. I study different religions, faith amazings me. (its a hobby and a passion)
Maybe what I have is not God with me but the knowladge that I am not alone. I am just a faithful person, so don’t conform to other religions just believe in a higher power. So no praying or singing on Sundays. Faith for me is pure; that there is GOOD and not just what people do or say but all over, everything we do and what a plant does. Its hard to explain, but I have been travelling a lot and been to many churches. I have celebrated Christ with Christians, I have celebrated God with Jews. I have been with Musliums and talked about the same God (as in the Fathe for Catholics) that the christains and jews believe in, and even Christ to them, who they find a sacred prophet.
Religions are so COOL, I love it. Maybe thats my fire, not sure, just that I am learning Arabic so I can read the Korhan, learning Hebrew so I can learn I can read the Tora.
Faith, and religion are amazing things, I am glad that you have found your fire, and from what I read you will be happy because you are not looking for anything but found everything.
Take care mate
#5 On February 14th, 2006 at 9:30 pm Little Miss Informed said...
Religion, faith, passion, God, universal energies, as yet I know not what I believe,but I think you have more or less summed up almost anyones spiritual walk beautifully. It’s never easy, it raises so many more questions than are ever answered. Yet, we keep on searching.
thanks for taking to time to write it. I enjoyed reading and sharing your thoughts.
#6 On March 17th, 2006 at 1:53 pm Ray said...
Hi there, I love the song “On Fire” too. But just one point about what the bible says on salvation. It NEVER says “Just believe in Jesus and you are saved” NEVER EVER!! The key to unlocking scripture is to know that the bible interprets itself. Act 15:11 We certainly believe that it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we are saved, just as they are.” But this then contradicts Jam 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not have any works, is dead. The Greek word for “believe” is pisteuo it means faith with the implication that ACTION BASED ON THAT FAITH WILL FOLLOW! That’s why Jesus said Mat 19:17 Jesus said to him, “Why ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to get into that life, YOU MUST KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS” This is what matters to God that we obey him. We cant earn salvation thru what we do it is a free gift BUT God will choose who he gives it to based on our actions anf our obedience. In Christian love Ray
#7 On May 23rd, 2006 at 3:13 am Pamela Hasselbach said...
I believe reading the word of God is truly what lights the fire. It says in the Bible, what ever the heart is full to over flowing, will you speak out of your mouth. you take these words into your mind, and into your heart when you read the word. We have all had times we felt a little flat in our walk with Christ, but I realise it is when I have not fed myself spirtually that I cool off. Feed your self daily and you will be red hot! God Bless