“Catch on fire and others will love to come watch you burn.”
― John Wesley
Fire has been a recurring theme at training camp, as John the Baptist says that Jesus will "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). I truly feel like my spirit has been set on fire with the desire to serve God and share the freeing news of the Gospel with those that have not heard it or put their trust in the Lord.
One of the activities that has really impacted me so far has been the "surrender exercise." Everyone was given a peice of firewood upon which we wrote what it is that we need to surrender to the Lord in order to serve Him fully. It was hard for me to think of what this was for me because I have been preparing my heart and letting God prune away unwanted attitudes and mindsets for the last few months. Unfortunately, however, I will never reach perfection on this Earth, and I was reminded of the little complaining spirit within me whenever I get dirt on me or feel tired or want to shower, etc…basically all the earthly desires that may not be fulfilled according to my schedule when I am to be serving others. I must put my own personal desires to the side, so that I can serve God and other foremost.
With "my personal desires" written on my firewood, I joined the line of people that were lead on a hike around a hill, carrying our wood and other rocks and such to add more weight in order the match the weight of what it is that we want to surrender. After this tiring hike in which I asked God along the way to give me the strength to surrender this, I threw my wood into the firepit to be burned later that night. I do feel that God is working in me, but I know that this will be something that I will have to surrender everyday. Letting go of these desires will free me to serve God with my whole heart.
