Fire in your Heart

I was reading Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado the other night and a passage really stuck with me, so I want to share it.

The Fire of Your Heart

My God, I want to do what you want.

Your teachings are in my heart.

Psalm 40:8

Want to know God's will for your life? Then answer this question: What ignites your heart? Forgotten orphans? Untouched nations? The inner city? The outer limit? Heed the fire within!

Do you have a passion to sing? Then sing!

Are you stirred to manage? Then manage!

Do you ache for the ill? Then treat them!

Do you hurt for the lost? Then teach them!

As a young man I felt the calling to preach. Unsure if I was correct in my reading of God's will for me, I sought the counsel of a minister I admired. His counsel still rings true. "Don't preach," he said, "unless you have to."

As I pondered his words I found my answer. "I have to. If I don't, the fire will consume me." 

What is the fire that consumes you?

This passage stuck with me because I have been questioning my own "fires" for years. Even if I try and extinguish the fire in my heart for rescuing dogs it reignites and consumes my soul. 

Is that really God's purpose for me? 

As life unfolds I become more and more convinced that this is true. I continue to pray for purpose and ask God... but I think he has already answered me. 

Has he answered you? Are you really listening?

Thirty-one years ago I was born on Easter Sunday and that has always held a special place in my heart. When I was little I thought it was cool that I shared the same "special day" with the Easter Bunny. Obviously as I got older I realized Easter is MUCH more special than a bunny. 

I share the same day that Jesus was resurrected! 

But really...what does that mean? To me? To you? To the world?

The Dictionary states:

noun /ˈēstər/ 
Easters, plural

The most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and held (in the Western Church) between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox

Maybe this seems a little far fetched, but I feel like being born on Easter means I have the privilege of having "Jesus on speed dial":) He has a special purpose for me and if I really listen...really quiet my mind and open my heart I might be lucky enough to figure it out.

But the truth is we ALL have this privilege. We all have "Jesus on speed dial" IF we invite Him.

Matthew 17:20 "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "

Have Faith

Follow His Word

Give Thanks to Him

Be in Awe of who He is (nothing is impossible for Jesus)

Never stop seeking Him (no matter what the circumstance)

This is Easter to me. Easter is about honoring Him.

And so this weekend, and every weekend, I honor you, Jesus, the creator of all things. The compass to my map. I was baptized two weeks ago in your honor and am so excited about your plans for me.