Lately, it’s been so cold, that most nights when I come home, I build a fire and sit as close as I can to it. As the warmth takes over my body, it seems to even warm my soul. It never fails to remind me of how the presence of GOD makes me feel alive and warm. Furthermore, when I’m in the presence of fellow believers, the glow of God’s presence seems multiplied even greater! It is an experience beyond anything the world offers.
But, just like the warm fire will go out unless it’s constantly fed; so the fire of our relationship with God must be continually stoked.
It is interesting to note how the passionate fire of a human is fed either by—taking energy from the presence of God; or, by taking energy from others. When a relationship with GOD is what fuels us, it produces a fire inside that draws people in, AND kindles THIER fire as well. But when our fire is fed by taking it from OTHERS—it just burns-out those we take it from.
Do you know people who suck the life out of you—even when you are filled with God’s presence???
Sometimes—I am that person!!!
I have noticed that I become that way when I step away from the presence of God. But, God is so patient to teach me the inestimable value of His presence! When I allow Him to keep me fueled by His presence, He teaches me how to continuously pour out—even with people who tend to suck the life out of me. We are needy—when we are either ignorant of God’s ability to fill us, or unwilling to seek God as the great passion of our life.
When God is our center, then—amidst the giving of love—He allows us to challenge others to find their well-spring in HIM.
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalms 1:1-6
