The lighting of a fire is not in haste. Slowly it begins, small to the eye, but glowing hot with the breath of the ignitor. The flame sprouts in the quiet between, then more is added, slowly not to smother, until greater and greater its intensity, able to absorb even the cold and heavy wood, indifferent to colder flames. It is the same with the heart of man and the call of God. In small you must disciple, to those cold, you must spark first the call of the Father within them. The gentle breath of another aids to bring the flame, careful in its force that the ember would not be lost. In the quiet between, the Spirit speaks, and reminds and brings deeper the flame of My Word spoken. The heart ignites then in hunger for more, he will himself fan, and as fed, grow. There are those about you that need My gentle breath through your own. My Word of Light through your own. Gentle and in pulse, that the ember might grow. Large wood to a dead fire avails nothing, and to the ember, suffocation. For great knowledge burns only brightly in the midst of great faith. Blow lightly your faith and feed slowly your knowledge, let the heat of their faith increase. Be patient in the building. They shall soon fan their own, hungry for the heat of great faith, as they see fully your own.
James 3:5 (ESV) – So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV) – Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
2 Timothy 1:5-6 (ESV) – I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Bottom Line: If your faith is shown too strongly, and far above the level of faith of the one you are speaking to, it can be quickly rejected as overwhelming and may sometimes be seen as foolishness. If you are too weak in the display of your faith, where you are afraid to even talk about it, that is equally unfruitful. Erring on either side will not make you effective with most whom have never accepted the Good News of Jesus Christ. All around you, especially at work, there are people who God the Father is calling. You can’t tell who they are, but if you are attentive spiritually, you may get a glimpse of a small glowing ember of faith inside of them. With gentleness and metered regularity, help to fan lightly that spark. From your gentle and consistent approach, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the flame of faith will come alive, grow and soon be burning brightly in them!
