Ignited by God
Have you ever felt a stirring in your soul, a care that won’t let go, a passion that seems to come from beyond yourself? Scripture reveals a beautiful truth: when God has a work for us to do, He doesn’t leave us guessing. He plants His will deep within us.
In Nehemiah 7:5, we read, “Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy.” Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 8:16-17, Paul writes, “But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.” In both cases, God Himself ignited a fire in their hearts for a specific purpose.
Nehemiah’s story shows us that God’s call often comes as an inner stirring (see also 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:5). Earlier, Nehemiah was charged with rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. When he was gripped by the need, he took it to the Lord in anguishing prayer and fasting. In that place of prayer, that burden became a calling that he could not shake.
Nehemiah didn’t have it all figured out, but as he surrendered to God’s will—to what God put in his heart, the door began to open (see Nehemiah 1&2). I appreciate how Alan Redpath put it:
Nehemiah could have thought he had enough to do and closed his heart. But God had more—He “put it into [Nehemiah’s] heart” to preserve the identity of His people. This wasn’t Nehemiah’s idea; it was God’s, which He planted like a seed ready to grow, like a fire that can’t be contained.
Likewise, the care in Titus’ heart for the Corinthian church didn’t come from thin air. God placed that same earnest love in his heart that Paul carried, which compelled him to act with urgency and zeal.
Beloved, when we draw near to God, He shares His heart with us. We see another example of this in the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. As Jesus walked with them and opened the Scriptures, their hearts burned within them (Luke 24:32). That fire didn’t come out of no where—it was the presence of Christ igniting their souls for His purposes.
Moreover, it wasn’t just His physical presence, but the glory of Christ revealed in the entire Scriptures that is centered on His redemptive love (Luke 24:32). If your heart feels cold or empty, if there’s no burning desire for God’s work, it might be a sign you’re not pressing into His presence, you’re not beholding His transforming glory in His word by the power of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:15-18). When we seek Him, He sets our hearts ablaze.
So, what has God put in your heart? Maybe it’s a burden to reach out to a lost soul, a call to serve, or a vision to create something for His glory. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you… for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Although God’s put the fire in us, it doesn’t grow by accident. It takes intentional effort to keep the fire alive. Are you fanning it into flame, or letting it smolder?
How do we fan into flame what God has put into our hearts?
But beware of the fact that fires can go out if we’re not careful and intentional. Watch out for these dangers that may quench what God ignites:
Have you ever started a campfire or watched someone else do it? Building a campfire starts by gathering dry wood or sticks and piling them together. After the pile of wood is set on fire, flames begin to leap up as the sticks feed off each other’s heat. But what happens if you pull one stick out and set it off to the side? Alone, it might flicker for a moment, but soon the light fades, the flame dies, and it’s just a smoldering piece of wood that soon will become cold and dark. Meanwhile, the pile still burns hot, as the sticks lean into one another, sharing the heat, and keeping the fire burning hot and bright.
That isolated piece of wood can be you or me. God lights a fire in our hearts (passion, purpose, faith) and it burns hot and bright when we’re piled together with others. In community, we fan each other’s flames through encouragement, prayer and shared struggles. But if we isolate ourselves, the fire starts to flicker and eventually fade. The wind of doubt or the cold of loneliness creeps in, and what was once ablaze can be reduced to smoke. But close together we stay ablaze—we keep shining, we stay lit up because we’re not alone.
What is God putting in your heart today? Is it a flickering ember or a blazing fire? If you can’t name something He’s calling you to, draw near to Him. God promises to meet you where you are (James 4:8). If you do sense His call, what are you doing about it? Don’t let it flicker out. Fan it into flame with prayer, obedience, and acts of love. God didn’t put His plan and care in Nehemiah or Titus for them to sit in fear and do nothing and neither will He do that with you. Step out in faith into the work God has prepared for you, and let your heart burn brightly for His glory.
-Pastor Marco
In Nehemiah 7:5, we read, “Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy.” Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 8:16-17, Paul writes, “But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.” In both cases, God Himself ignited a fire in their hearts for a specific purpose.
Nehemiah’s story shows us that God’s call often comes as an inner stirring (see also 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:5). Earlier, Nehemiah was charged with rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. When he was gripped by the need, he took it to the Lord in anguishing prayer and fasting. In that place of prayer, that burden became a calling that he could not shake.
Nehemiah didn’t have it all figured out, but as he surrendered to God’s will—to what God put in his heart, the door began to open (see Nehemiah 1&2). I appreciate how Alan Redpath put it:
“Recognition of need must be followed by earnest, persistent waiting upon God until the overwhelming sense of world need becomes a specific burden in my soul for one particular piece of work which God would have me do.”
Nehemiah could have thought he had enough to do and closed his heart. But God had more—He “put it into [Nehemiah’s] heart” to preserve the identity of His people. This wasn’t Nehemiah’s idea; it was God’s, which He planted like a seed ready to grow, like a fire that can’t be contained.
Likewise, the care in Titus’ heart for the Corinthian church didn’t come from thin air. God placed that same earnest love in his heart that Paul carried, which compelled him to act with urgency and zeal.
Beloved, when we draw near to God, He shares His heart with us. We see another example of this in the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. As Jesus walked with them and opened the Scriptures, their hearts burned within them (Luke 24:32). That fire didn’t come out of no where—it was the presence of Christ igniting their souls for His purposes.
Moreover, it wasn’t just His physical presence, but the glory of Christ revealed in the entire Scriptures that is centered on His redemptive love (Luke 24:32). If your heart feels cold or empty, if there’s no burning desire for God’s work, it might be a sign you’re not pressing into His presence, you’re not beholding His transforming glory in His word by the power of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:15-18). When we seek Him, He sets our hearts ablaze.
So, what has God put in your heart? Maybe it’s a burden to reach out to a lost soul, a call to serve, or a vision to create something for His glory. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you… for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Although God’s put the fire in us, it doesn’t grow by accident. It takes intentional effort to keep the fire alive. Are you fanning it into flame, or letting it smolder?
How do we fan into flame what God has put into our hearts?
- Pray Boldly: Ask God to clarify and strengthen the desire He’s given you. Seek His guidance daily.
- Obey Promptly: Like Titus, act on what God stirs in you. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—step out in faith.
- Fuel it with Scripture: The Word of God is like oxygen to a fire. Let it breathe life into your calling.
- Stir Up Love: God’s work flows from His love in us. We love Him because He first loved us. Reflect on the love of Christ demonstrated on the cross. Serve others, share the gospel, and let the love of Jesus compel you (2 Corinthians 5:14).
- Gather with Believers: Surround yourself with people who will encourage and stir your passion, as Titus did with Paul.
But beware of the fact that fires can go out if we’re not careful and intentional. Watch out for these dangers that may quench what God ignites:
- Distraction: Busyness and worldly pursuits can choke out God’s igniting voice. Guard your time with Him.
- Doubt: Fear and insecurity can douse the flame. Trust His Spirit to empower you, not your own strength.
- Sin: Unconfessed sin disrupts our fellowship/communion with God, which will diminish His fiery light in our hearts. Keep a short account with God. Repent quickly.
- Isolation: Going at it alone leaves you vulnerable. Stay connected to the body of Christ.
Have you ever started a campfire or watched someone else do it? Building a campfire starts by gathering dry wood or sticks and piling them together. After the pile of wood is set on fire, flames begin to leap up as the sticks feed off each other’s heat. But what happens if you pull one stick out and set it off to the side? Alone, it might flicker for a moment, but soon the light fades, the flame dies, and it’s just a smoldering piece of wood that soon will become cold and dark. Meanwhile, the pile still burns hot, as the sticks lean into one another, sharing the heat, and keeping the fire burning hot and bright.
That isolated piece of wood can be you or me. God lights a fire in our hearts (passion, purpose, faith) and it burns hot and bright when we’re piled together with others. In community, we fan each other’s flames through encouragement, prayer and shared struggles. But if we isolate ourselves, the fire starts to flicker and eventually fade. The wind of doubt or the cold of loneliness creeps in, and what was once ablaze can be reduced to smoke. But close together we stay ablaze—we keep shining, we stay lit up because we’re not alone.
What is God putting in your heart today? Is it a flickering ember or a blazing fire? If you can’t name something He’s calling you to, draw near to Him. God promises to meet you where you are (James 4:8). If you do sense His call, what are you doing about it? Don’t let it flicker out. Fan it into flame with prayer, obedience, and acts of love. God didn’t put His plan and care in Nehemiah or Titus for them to sit in fear and do nothing and neither will He do that with you. Step out in faith into the work God has prepared for you, and let your heart burn brightly for His glory.
-Pastor Marco