If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. Prov. 25:21-22
Hunger takes on many forms and although I have never been physically hungry, I have been emotionally starved. When I am dry, I have nothing to help feed my soul and I am more susceptible to negativity around me. Social media may feel like I have friends right next door, but typically it leaves me feeling more empty and dry. Filling me instead with comparison, lust, discontent or disillusionment.
Anger can start as a small ‘hate’ fire. Allowing it to burn in one’s soul can ignite a forest fire. I am not a political person, but lately social and other media have sparked a firestorm of emotions in me. The media is helping to mobilize small movements in communities that otherwise would be unified. Homes are in the path of it’s destruction. Likely, people will get burned or need to go to the source of water for relief.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary on Proverbs gives good insight the proverb above. “Sometimes a person’s fire went out and he needed to borrow some live coals to restart his fire. Giving a person coals in a pan to carry home “on his head” was a neighborly, kind act; it made friends, not enemies.”
The coals in this proverb ultimately symbolize grace. Giving my enemy the offer of grace now when they need it most. Burning hot coals on their head…allowing them a moment to reflect and rethink their anger. I need to have hot coals of grace in my life to offer my friends and enemies. To fuel my world with love and grace. Living Water springing up igniting a revolution of the heart and soul.
Hot Coals
Ignite. Fuel. Burn. Relief. Spread Grace.
What ‘coals’ do I have to offer to spread grace in my world?
Photo credit: Christina Wong