Consuming Fire

Not many people know this about me but I'm a Johnny Cash fan. When the movie, Walk the Line, came out I became enthralled with the soundtrack. Who knew this 80's pop chick could love Cash's dark country style? My favorite song is "Ring of Fire" because of the passion in the lyrics. It was written by the love of his life, June Carter. It vocalizes the consuming passion that takes over us when we meet our one true love.

We all long to love passionately but don't always get the chance. Maybe the one we love is already taken. Maybe they don't share our feelings. Maybe something or someone is standing between us. Did you know that God has passionate feelings too? While God's love for you is not romantic in nature, it is just as passionate in force.

Look at Deuteronomy 4:24, "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Stop and read that again. This is a show-stopping verse!

God is only satisfied when His love totally consumes us. We think of jealousy as something negative and selfish but God's jealousy is precious! He created us which gives Him the right to be jealous when anything tries to take us away from Him. Our relationship with God should supercede all other relationships. When God commands us to serve no other gods it is because we were not meant for another love.

How comforting to know that someone loves us with such great affection. That God would go to such lengths to protect me is amazing. He wants to consume me with His love. Have you ever felt rejected? Have you felt passed over? You're not! You are loved with the same passion that created the heavens. That same love that drove God to sacrifice His only Son.

Whatever you are facing today, know this: Your God is a consuming fire. He loves you with a love that will outlast time. He is worthy of all your attention, your energy, your time, your resources, your worship, your focus, your interest, your passions.

Are you ready to fall into God's "burning ring of fire"? Move out of my way friends, cause I'm goin' in!