How Do You View God? (Gaining Proper Perspective of Him)
A few months ago, I was in the middle of a somewhat dry season in my walk with the Lord. I knew that something needed to change with my perspective, but I didn't know exactly what. Then one day I found myself in the midst of a powerful worship experience at church. I remember asking God to spark something brand new inside of me. Instantly, the Lord responded to me with,
"I am not a spark, I am an all-consuming fire." (Read Hebrews 12:29)
Almost immediately, the worship song "Pieces" by Bethel Music popped into my head. In that song, there is a verse that goes like this:Uncontrolled, uncontained. Your love is a fire. Burning bright for me. It's not just a spark. It's not just a flame. Your love is a light. That all the world will see. In Revelation 3:15-16, the Lord says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
By asking God just for a little spark, it was as if I was telling God that I just wanted to be lukewarm.
God knew that, in my heart, I was really saying that I wanted some of Him, but not all of Him. I wanted just enough to get out of my little funk but didn't want to give Him control of every aspect of my life. God isn't interested in us being lukewarm, as we can see by the above scripture. God wants to consume us from the inside out. He wants every part of our being to be set on fire for our good and for His glory! This is the perspective we must gain of Him!God was in no way trying to embarrass me or make me feel bad. He was trying to expose a destructive thought pattern that was making me settle for less than His best for me! Honestly, it is not something that I have totally overcome. The Lord is still in the midst of breaking down those thought patterns. However, what I can tell you is that moment runs through my mind on a consistent basis. God's word broke through loud and clear, and it painted a picture of Him that has challenged my thinking ever since.
Related Post: I’m free! I’m free! I’m free!
So I ask you today, how do you see God? Do you need to change your perspective? Is He just a little spark that provides a catalyst when you are in need of some motivation? Is He a little flame that flickers inside and helps you live out the words of a favorite Sunday school hymn, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine?" Or have you truly embraced the reality that our God is an all-consuming fire that drastically transforms us from the inside out?Just like the burning bush that God used to speak to Moses, does the presence of God burn so bright within you that people look at you and wonder how you can possibly sustain such a flame without burning up? The best part is that we are always just one small step away from surrendering and allowing God's fire to burn within us. Personally, I am no longer praying for the spark. I want to be completely consumed by the fire.