Our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29
For my birthday, I received a cast iron skillet. Probably one of the most versatile pans I will ever own. Now I see why my mom used it to cook all her one-pot wonders. It maintains a consistent temperature which is beneficial for cooking at high heat or a slow braising simmer. A masterful fire can solidify, illuminate and transform the rawness of creation into a beautiful, tasteful masterpiece.
Heat Solidifies
Heat, in cooking solidifies a mixture of liquids into a scrumptious pancake or a batter into a chunky chocolate chip cookie. Whatever the method or intensity, the careful application of heat can create rich caramelization or reduction of liquids into an intensely flavorful dish. The gentle application of God’s consuming fire can have a similar impact. His consuming fire takes the mixture of all my desires and abilities into a surrendered life -solidifying a relationship with Him. Overtime, the burning of His flame within my soul and continual application of His words in my life create a rich purposeful life.
Heat Illuminates
Heat applied in cooking illuminates the flavors of food and brings out their unique aroma. In the Old Testament God showed up numerous times as fire to light the path for the Israelites. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. (Ex 13:21) God was represented by the fire in His temple and it’s continual burning was to show the Israelites that God would always be a strong presence in their life to illuminate and generate their own unique aroma. (Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out. Lev 6:13) In the New Testament, God’s spirit fell on the people providing a source of illumination in their life – the Holy Spirit would provide continual presence and direction.
Heat Transforms
Heat applied to food can transform it, depending on the intensity and combination of ingredients. In Asian culture, chicken can be transformed into a sweet and sour dish or in Southern cuisine, chicken can be enjoyed as fried finger-licking goodness. God’s consuming fire transcends culture, ability and circumstance. When God’s heat through His spirit touches the core of my soul it brings out His perfecting work in my life. He creates beauty from rawness. God’s fire consumes and transforms displaying His power and glory.
Heat
Solidify. Illuminate. Transform.
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Song of Solomon 8:6
How is the fire of God consuming and transforming me?