Women Ablaze: Made For His Purpose

Curled over in the darkened night, wolves howling in the distance, a small ember barely seen amidst the blanketed sky, trees thrashing in the wind, rain threatening to put out the fire desperate to be kindled.

Alone, is a show on the History Channel. It takes individuals, sets them out on islands in the Pacific Northwest, and leaves them completely alone, requiring men and women fend for themselves.

I love Alone. The show exposes our need for people, uncovers the deep, real, authentic self, inside people, and lays abandoned the whole, raw individual. Alone shows us what man is capable of, if we are left, like in the garden, with only God above and the resources God has given us.

One of the most vital resources when alone on an island is fire. Fire heats, cooks, and wards off animals prowling in the darkness. Fire provides light, the ability to dry wet gear, and the boiling of water which offers something to drink when thirsty.

On season one, a man lost his ability to make fire and walked off this social experience immediately. He knew he was done and that without fire, His chances of survival would be limited.

Even here in my home, our entire family will sit around, silent, and just stare at the dancing flames, warming themselves in front of the blaze, as if fire alone has a secret to something eternal.

Scripture actually talks about fire frequently. Fire was mentioned when Moses stared at a bush ablaze. The fire flamed, God spoke, and yet, the bush itself was not consumed. The Lord, holy and good, spoke from the fire. That place was sacred, so much so, Moses was instructed to take off his shoes, because he was "standing on Holy ground." (Exodus 3:5)

In Leviticus, fire also, "came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar." (Leviticus 9:24)

This same Moses, who stood at the burning bush, went on to help free the Israelites from slavery and captivity. Scripture tells us, "Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth." (Exodus 9:23)

When the Israelites finally escaped Pharaoh’s rule, "by day the Lord went ahead of them...by night in a pillar of fire to give them light."

Fire wasn't just a common theme among Moses and the Israelites. Jeremiah talks about the Word of God being like fire. "In my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it." (Jeremiah 20:9)

Revelations tells us, "The Son of God...has eyes like a flame of fire." (Revelations 2:8) There are even, "Seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." (Revelations 4:5)

And yet, we can live, forgetting that God is unlike man, He burns and reigns and in Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

His living fire is a flame within us. We are not left alone, abandoned on some island of hopelessness, like some cruel social experiment. We are given His fire inside to lead and guide us, to brighten the darkness, to ward off the enemy prowling, to set ablaze the lies that try to discourage us. 

In Acts, when the Holy Spirit fell, tongues of fire rested on each and every one who waited on Him in the upper room. (Acts 2) Not just some encountered the fullness of His presence. Not only a few select got touched, or was moved, or impacted by His fire that night...

But each of us waiting, calling upon, and seeking Him can be empowered with this same fire that descends from the throne room of grace.

We are not alone. Not stranded on some island. We are children of the Living God. And, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:2)

Now, won't we seek His fire? How might His fire empower us to live out His call as Missional Women?

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  ​​

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