Are You on Fire?

There's a quote from John Wesley that continually
haunts me and drives me to examine my faith.
The first time I read it, I was consumed
by the power of it; maybe you will be too.

"Set yourself on fire and people will come
for miles to watch you burn."

He's not talking about literally, but in the Christian life. Our lives should burn with passion for the Lord. I often look in the mirror wondering where I put the matches . . . because I need to be set on fire. My reflection of Him seems to be a vague distortion and I beg Him to use the Holy Spirit to consume me from the inside out and illuminate my life in a way that points people to Him.

Years ago a pastor at my church asked several questions that have stuck with me over the years, maybe they will further your walk in faith as well . . .
1) Who do you know that loves Jesus more than you?
2) How is your life different since you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior?

So, the answer to number one can seem like a trick question to me . . . because honestly, I want to love Jesus more than ANYONE I know. At the same time, I continually look around me to find someone who does. I need those people in my life. Question two seemed like a trick question as well . . .  actually it's just easier answered, not with what is different, but that NOTHING is the same. There is something that happens when you are consumed by the Spirit. Remember Moses? When He went up on the holy mountain to meet with God, there was a huge earthquake, a smoking volcano, and a roar of thunder, all wrapped up in one incredible experience of God's holiness, truth, and power. And when Moses came down off the mountain, He GLOWED! God's presence was so real that it left evidence on Moses face and the brightness was so overwhelming that it frightened the people. Everyone KNEW beyond a shadow of a doubt that Moses had been in the presence of the Lord. Shouldn't people around us experience the same? Shouldn't our lives BURN in such a way that the light of it is consuming. Matt Redman puts it this way:
"That passage gives us insight into two things: the deep revelation of God, and the change it brings to those who experience it. The greater the revelation, the greater the transformation. Unveiled in his worship and given incredible access to the presence of God, Moses also became a changed worshipper who glowed with the glory of God."

So are you glowing? Are you casting off any light at all? I'm asking God for new illumination. Quite frankly, I'd like to have a Clark Griswold kind of Christian life (Christmas Vacation) . . . one that is overdone in illumination of the Lord. Those around us should know we've been in His presence. We should be a bonfire that draws crowds and makes people from miles around wonder where the smoke is coming from. So, in my prayer closet, this is the issue in my faith right now. I'm asking God to work on this in me. And I'm fully confident He will. So, if you see smoke . . . it just might be me . . . come watch me burn!