Not A Working Fireplace

The “fam” went on vacation. We all converged on a three story 5 bedroom 5 bath beach house. It was fully loaded with Coastal Living inspired décor.  It had every amenity you could possibly think of. Ah…..except for one. There was a sign on the mantle that said, “Not a working fireplace.” Now, granted, we didn't need a fireplace in May but it still was obvious that it was not available at all.  I could not ignore the lack of a working fireplace because all of the living room furniture was crowded around it. It was the focal point of the room and it was not working.

 It was like what I was reading in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 in my Bible study

                                                     

                                                   Do not quench the Spirit.

                          Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.                          

Do not extinguish the Spirit.
  Don't put out the Spirit's fire.

Paul says that the part of God in you, the Holy Spirit, can be extinguished or put out like a fire is extinguished. Oh the Holy Spirit is still in you. He’s just not working in you or through you. 

When you purposefully ignore God’s word and prompting in your heart then you have just created a nonworking fireplace. And it’s obvious to those around you that your focal point, Jesus, has been ignored.

We sat around all week when we were inside staring at the sign “Not a working fireplace.”  And we knew it was no use counting on that as a help in any way.

Just like when we have extinguished the Spirit’s power in us. There is no use in counting on us to be of any use for God and His work. And people will notice when the Holy Spirit has been stifled in you.  You might as well wear a sign that says, “Not a working Christian.”

Paul’s warning to us is to keep the fire burning.

Keeps the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through you.

Keep listening for and following God’s plan for your life.

Be a working fireplace.