Where's the Holy Fire?
A search for new wine
Since making the relocation back to this smallish town..
I’ve had the opportunity to sit in a few random church services.
I’ve peaked into more than a couple of local online sermons, and I can’t help but wonder…
Where’s the Holy Fire?
Before going any further, I should probably make it clear this isn’t one of those complaining about churches-type rants. This is a sincere question from my heart to the Body of Christ. Perhaps, even as I write out this article, this question is more of a message contending for the fire of our faith.
But let’s pick back up..
I’ve lived in a few different places and set in many churches, from Las Vegas to Greater Los Angeles and north of there to The Central Valley of California. This isn’t the first time I’ve wondered where the oomph was.
I think we can certainly agree, there are currently some incredibly great teachers of the faith. Some have even been in the churches I’ve set in.
We could sit for hours, I’m sure, perhaps even days, talking about them, the platforms they’ve built, their churches, and even their love for Jesus.
But what I really want to know is — where is the Holy Fire?
What do I mean by Holy Fire, you might be asking?
Back in 2011, The Holy Spirit told me He was going to introduce me to women (you can read more on that here, in an article from a time I was writing to single moms).
After being on the hunt for that first woman at a variety of different churches in Las Vegas, and there are some really good ones, it was on a short flight from Fresno, CA to Las Vegas, NV that He introduced me to her.
Months later, through the power of the Holy Spirit, this woman would be the one to break the bondage keeping me in passivity and change the trajectory of my life.
Needless to say, she brought Holy Fire.
A no-nonsense woman.
A rare gem experienced by few, and arguably (I’m sure) needed by many.
And God, in his great mercy, introduced her to me on a plane.
That’s too radical a fire for you? I understand. For many it is.
But for those who are longing for fresh revelation, a release from the piled-on burdens, hurt, and loss that occurs on this journey, this Holy Fire is a sweet encounter, a refreshing touch. This kind of fire refuels, burning off the residue of decisions that have gone array and fills us up so we can keep going toward finishing the race.
But honestly, that deliverance I experienced is only one form of the fire I’m speaking of.
What about the Father’s heart in this season?
How many pastors, or teachers for that matter, are truly in touch with the heart of the Father? So much so, that it spills out of them and burns into those they are serving and in an altering impact, creates radical change.
Some, yes.
But as many needed for equipping us to go out and bring in the harvest? You know, set the captives free, heal the sick, and raise the dead.
I can’t tell you how many churches are on every corner of this smallish town. I can’t help but wonder why, if we have so many dang churches in this area and within the United States, for that matter, we have such a problem with a spirit of addiction, sexual sin, apathy, witchcraft, and on and on - within the church.
Yet ministries are popping up left and right. The issue doesn’t seem to be that we have a lack of money or money being sent out.
Again, I ask. Where is the fire?
A dear friend recently invited some of her closest friends to gather for prayer as she is fighting to save her marriage and family. As tender and sweet as the prayers were, they also lacked.
And there we set.
A mature group of women in Christ and not one woman prayed in her prayer language (myself included). Not one woman fervently warred or wept in intercession for this dear woman and her family during the nearly three hours we gathered.
And I wonder…
Was it because they felt uncomfortable?
They don’t know how?
The Spirit wasn’t leading?
Why didn’t I? I hear a soft voice leading me to answer.
My reply: I held You back. This community of women is still so new to me, Lord. I let out what I could and as much as it was, I know it wasn’t what it could have been. Oh, forgive me. For I, too, have quenched your Spirit.
And once again, I left wondering:
Where is the fire?
Whether it be a lack of knowledge, a spirit of apathy, sin among us, or fear of man, instead of looking around at the local church and wondering where this Holy Fire is, I'm steadily and intentionally attempting to cultivate the faith to step into Red Sea moments and trust that as I do, His miracles will come and so will the fire - within and out of - me.
I'm right there.
I'm on the edge.
Calling for opportunities and bold faith to step in.
I’m looking for waters to be parted and desperately seeking to walk with others doing the same.
This is awesome!!!!!