Setting the World on Fire

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” – Luke 12:49

What a statement.

Sometimes I think we picture Jesus as this feel-good person who is always smiling and always gentle and always peaceful.

But when I really think about it, when I see how much He stirs things up, in our families, in our world, in our hearts, I don’t think of Jesus being as much a teddy bear as he is a fire. A blazing, burning fire.

A fire that molds us, changes us, inspires us. A fire that brings conversion and gets us on our feet, ready to carry our cross and follow Jesus wherever he leads us.

Whenever I get that stirred-up feeling and hints of something new coming – some new conversion, some new life, some strong push in a different direction – I don’t get nervous, I get ready.

Jesus is up to something.

Praise God.

Dear Lord, I love it when you stir things up and move me to a new place or a new ministry or a conversion moment of some kind. Come, Lord Jesus, come. And set the world on fire. Amen.

Tagged as: prayer, Sunday Gospels