Other than a raging battle against invading mice and ants, solo quarantine in a camper was a surprisingly sweet time of rest. I don’t think I realized just how much I missed the peaceful lack of manmade sounds, walking through spacious fields with only our horses and dogs insight, and connecting with my family. They spoiled me with notes, activities, food, and even laundry service. My youngest brother also built a mailbox so we could exchange notes from a distance.
Since I survived the 14 days alone with no signs of COVID-19, I moved back in with my family. It’s been a big adjustment after living independently for almost 3 years, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn to love them in new ways. My current plan is to stay with them for the foreseeable future. Assuming the travel bans are lifted, our squad will hopefully be able to relaunch by August. In the meantime, my days are filled with online classes, yard/housework, playing with my nieces and nephews, and launching a home bakery business (check it out at Kitchen Katastrophes!).
Switching gears, I want to share a word that was spoken over our squad during a worship session on our last evening in Southeast Asia before flying home to the States…
I N E X T I N G U I S H A B L E
What a cool word as we were all about to go home! We each felt His fire in our souls, many of us stronger than ever before. However, there was also fear that the fire would dim as we were abruptly stripped of our squad’s Christ-centered, mission-oriented community. Would we be alone in that soul fire?
As I prayed about going home, God reminded me of another word He spoke to me years ago: A L W A Y S. He will always be with me no matter where I go. The unshakable peace He gave me in Australia continued to flood my soul as I rested in His promise. With that promise of always and the new exhortation of inextinguishable, I was confident we could each go home and, instead of being reduced to dim flames, be the sparks that start spiritual wildfires across our own nation.
Fast-forward to one week later of being away from that community… I was helping my Dad (from an appropriate social distance) burn brush we had cleared on our land. As the flames soared with searing heat 30 feet into the air, inextinguishable came to mind. Surely this fire was the definition of the word!
When I went back the following morning, the massive flames were nothing but a pile of smoldering coals and smoking logs. So much for being an inextinguishable flame! If that fire wasn’t inextinguishable, how could I be inextinguishable? What keeps the flame burning? I pondered this question as I raked unburned branches back into the pile and stirred the coals. Before long, the flames were revived and consumed the added fuel.
I realized something then: for a fire to be inextinguishable, it has to be fed sufficiently.
Duh, right? Okay, but now think of it in a spiritual aspect. We love those highs of being completely on fire for God. We feel inextinguishable in those moments when our flames rage 30 feet high. What happens when we come back the following morning? If we haven’t continued to add fuel, the fire will likely be reduced to smoldering coals and ashes.
What exactly is spiritual fuel? What keeps that fire for God alive and blazing into new heights?
Community. Isolation is one of the devil’s favorite tricks. It’s hard to find sustainable fuel when you’re constantly alone. Thankfully, even during this time of COVID-19 social distancing, we still have technology to connect us with other believers. It takes more intentionality now, but the community is SO worth the encouragement, accountability, and exhortation it offers!
Communion with God. Drop the checklist prayer. Quiet your spirit. Let Him love you. Maybe even find a special place to get alone with Him. For me, this is outside by some form of water: a pond, lake, creek, or ocean. I love sitting quietly, marveling at His creation and talking with Him. Obviously, it’s not possible to go there all the time, but I can still commune with Him throughout any regular day. I challenge you to invite Him into your daily routine and watch how He fuels your spirit with His love, peace, and joy.
Worship. The beauty of worship is that it can be done through almost any form. Every single thing you do can be an act of worship that brings glory to God AND fuels your spirit’s fire. Isn’t it cool how God formed us to come alive by worshipping Him? We think we’re doing something for Him, but really, it’s opening the doors form Him to revive and lavish us with His blessings!
What other avenues have you found to fuel your soul? Comment below! I’d love to explore new ones.
P.S. stay tuned for my next post which is also about fire…a literal fire that literally burns nonstop in the last country I visited!
Some of us are blessed with a daily time of prayer and listening for God’s replies. When active and with others, God often instructs or comments. It’s important to listen for His voice. Your mom is very good at this! Sending love and prayers…
Are you kidding me!
Victoria – wow! I love your blog in so many aspects. Your choice of metaphors and adjectives like “always“ and “inextinguishable“. Your awesome family with the trailer set up customized mailbox and letter drops from siblings :-).
But most importantly the incredibly insightful Still small voice that quick and your conscience to the indispensable and irreplaceable spiritual disciplines that are needed to fuel and fan the flame in our hearts.
To be with him, and follow him wherever he leads us, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of him in an actual and real way.
The spiritual disciplines of community, community with him i.e. prayer, and worship posture ourselves in a way that can appropriate His Grace and fresh infillings and says, “Lord I want to be blessed so I am poor in spirit, needy, totally dependent and broken so please fill me so I can see you.”
“Fan that flame and fire, both always and in -extinguishably ,As I take you seriously and draw near to you, take me seriously and draw near to me.”
Good Victoria thanks for an awesome devotional this Sat morning.