What is it about a fire?  We stare at the flames.   Whether a campfire, fireplace, or even just a candle, the dancing of the flame catches our attention.

The Comfort of the Fire

You ladies find comfort in the small flame from a candle.  The candlelight dinner, a hot bath with scented candles, both examples of fire being used to change the mood.

Men, we like a big fire. Bar-B-Que fires, fires to grill on, these are a start.  Give us a chance, we’ll set the woods on fire, burn trash piles, or even set abandoned buildings ablaze.   The idea of a bonfire gives a whole new meaning for a get together.  Put a match or lighter in our hands, it’s gonna be lit!

If you want to watch our human nature at work, watch when a man creates/builds his fire.  Whether it’s in the fireplace, or either a campfire, or BBQ he takes pride in how it’s started. He wants to impress everyone (especially himself).   It has to be just right.  Ladies, if you want to start trouble, as if you need encouraging,  just go over and start poking in HIS fire.  Tell him he’s not doing it right.  Sparks will soon be flying from more than just the actual fire!

But once the fire is going, and the arguments of how to best build your fire have passed, we stare.  The dancing of the flames catch our eye.  The heat from the glowing coals warms us.  The smell from a real fire and hearing the crackling and popping sounds gives our senses  a way to connect with this flame.  We connect in some primitive way with this fire.  Our sense of sight, hearing, touch, and smell are in high gear.  What do we do?  We stare.

One thing I’ve noticed also is how a fire brings out honest and REAL communication between people.  You want to have a good honest discussion with friends?  Build a fire. (just don’t poke in the other guys fire or it may get too honest).  Maybe Congress ought to have campfire meetings, instead of committee meetings.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

We can use this fireplace example of fire to help us see God as the consuming fire.  God is a God of unending Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness.  He also is a jealous God (He doesn’t want you to be anywhere else, only with Him).  He is a just and righteous.  He is not a friend to sin.  His Holiness is pure.  In other words, the wicked and sin itself will be consumed.

God loves us.  We need to show our love to Him by avoiding sin.  That same fire that gives us comfort can also burn us if we don’t give it respect.   I’d rather receive God’s comfort and warmth, than his wrath.

So ask God to help you with the sin that comes between you and Him.  Throw another log on the fire.  Let that log be the sins that come between you and God.  Better that the sin is what’s being thrown into the fire, than you along with it.

Now stoke up the fire a little bit.  Throw another hickory log(sin) on the fire.   Share this warmth and comfort with others.  and remember…… don’t poke around in another man’s fire.    See Ya!!

How is a fire comforting to you?  Tell me your thoughts. Share this with others.
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