Holy fire

You won't relent ~Misty Edwards

You won’t relent until You
Have it all
My heart is Yours

I’ll set You as a seal
Upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love
That is as strong as death
Jealousy demanding as the grave
Many waters
Cannot quench this love

Come be the fire inside of me
Come be the flame upon my heart
Come be the fire inside of me
Until You and I are one

As I was singing this song tonight it hit me that the fire that is supposed to burn within me is often very different from the one that is usually there. Often times I have to deal with the flames of anger and frustration—completely carnal in nature and reaping the opposite results that I should be yielding. Instead, I am supposed to have the very passion and fire that Jesus has welling inside of Him; not only a righteous anger at evil and against heresies, but even a passion for gentleness. I should be just as zealous in showing genuine kindness and humility as I am in exposing darkness and wielding the Sword of the Spirit. I must be as passionate in extending forgiveness and being a servant as I am in battling against wicked forces. It is a hard and, on my own, impossible task; God calls me to be a servant when I want to boss everyone around; God says I need to forgive when it would be easier to hang on to my anger; God insists I answer in love when I want to retaliate out of frustration. “O wretched man that I am! Who can deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The only way I can truly have that holy fire inside of me is if my heart is fully surrendered to God. HE must put that fire there, not me. HE must put the love within my soul, not me. HE must place the humility, the gentleness, the kindness, and the forgiveness in my heart. As long as I continue to try to do things on my own, I will reap the same--carnal--results. Dear Jesus, please keep my heart stayed on You.