Sirens wailed and lights flashed as the emergency approached the house. My daughter and son watched as they made the way up their driveway. Smoke bellowed up from behind the house and floated through the clear blue sky as the acrid smell of burning wood filled the air, stinging their nostrils. What in the world was happening?
The firefighters rushed out of their trucks, their red helmets glinting in the sunlight. The billowing smoke twisted and writhed like a sinister serpent, casting a dark shadow over the house. And as the squad rounded the corner, they discovered all the smoke came from my daughter’s burn pile in the back acreage of their house. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The chief said a neighbor reported smoke, so they had to investigate. The firemen gave red plastic fire helmets to the grandchildren. Then, they went back to the station and waited for an actual emergency. Calm returned to the neighborhood.
The Smoke of Faith
We laughed as my daughter shared their tale of adventure. But soon, the story drew me down the path of faith as God whispered to my soul, do others see the smoke of faith in our lives? God calls us to let our faith burn like a wildfire with bellowing columns of smoke to draw people in to investigate and then stay to enjoy the light and warmth of Christ. But often, we burn more like a small candle that we hide away to keep faith for ourselves.
“15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:15-16 (NLT).
Don’t Hide the Smoke
A candle is useless when it is under a bucket. The same goes for God’s truth – it serves no purpose if it remains hidden from the world. This verse in Matthew, along with the Beatitudes, provides a blueprint for Christian living. We must let our faith shine bright for the world to see and be the light that guides others.
However, when we do this, we may encounter unwelcome visitors who disrupt our lives. Sharing Christ may not always happen at convenient times, infringing on our other pressing matters. So instead, we hide our light under a bucket to avoid intrusions.
Place your lamp on the lampstand. Let it burn brightly for all to see. Be someone who acts, not just someone who listens. If we desire a closer connection with Jesus, there’s only one path. We must allow our faith to ignite in a way that attracts others to explore, no matter the sacrifice.
Prayer for More Smoke in Our Faith
Father, I love you and adore you and I want to draw closer to you. Please help me burn brightly for you so I can share my faith with others. I don’t want to hide my faith away, but let it blaze. Thank you for all you do in my life. Thank you for the grace and love you freely share with me. To you be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up
Welcome to Grace and Truth: A Weekly Christian Blog Link-Up! Our mission is simple: to spread Jesus’ message through the power of words. Join our community of writers and readers as we uplift and inspire one another.
Now Let’s Link-Up
Enter the Grace & Truth Christian Link-up | July 12-18, 2024
If you need the details and rules for our blog link-up, click here. Also, don’t forget to check our Pinterest board to see which posts our hosts featured.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Amen. Don’t hide that light. Let His light shine! 🙂 Now, I’m singing “This Little Light of Mine”.
That’s such a great, little song. I wish they sang it more with the kids in church. Thanks Melissa and God bless
A wonderful message to remind us to be sure our light shines in the purpose of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Thank you, Yvonne.
Thanks Katherine and God bless you
Love this! We must shine bright and be on fire for the Lord, not be lukewarm! Thank you for this.
Thank you Jessica and God bless.
A wise lesson tucked into a scary story. Thanks, Yvonne!
God can teach us so many lessons through our problems. Thanks Annie.
Wonderful analogy! May the Spirit fan the flames of our faith and keep our hearts burning for Jesus!
Amen Melissa. Blessings to you.
Phew, glad it was just the burn pile out back. Yes, sometimes our smoke and flame attracts people we don’t expect, but we can’t smother the flame under a bucket.
So very true Priscilla. Thanks and God bless you
You had me on the edge of my seat, Yvonne, with concern. I’m glad your daughter and her family were just doing something normal and not in any danger. A burn pile is normal just like our sharing of our faith. I’m not the greatest at this and I pray I can share more openly. People need Jesus.
Amen Stephen. People need Jesus desperately. Thanks and God bless.
Such a great analogy, Yvonne. I pray to fan the smoke of faith in my life. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29
He is the all consuming fire. Thanks Karen and God bless.