An identity of passion

When I am using my mother tongue and want to ask a person what his passion is, I will ask: “What are you on fire for?” - I like that phrase. We are different personalities, however, you do not need to be an extrovert to be on fire for something. I know typical introverts who are very passionate in their fields of interest.

Last week I focused on the “tongues of fire” that came upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. If people have to move in the same direction towards a common goal they need to be able to communicate in a common language. The confusion of Babel is an example of what can happen when people do not understand one another (1). On the Day of Pentecost people received a tongue that surpasses the languages of Babel – all of a sudden they could understand. It was a unifying language of fire, of passion that opened insight into divine truths.

When I read about William Booth, I see a very passionate man. If I could have asked him what his passion was, I am sure he would have answered something like “The world for God!” or just “Souls!”. I am also convinced that this passion kept him moving towards that goal for the whole of his life. What I am on fire for will help me keep the momentum, keep me moving towards the goal.

Therefore, it is important for me to frequently check the ‘temperature’ of the fire in my life.

In the wilderness, the Israelites for a long period almost forgot that they were on the move towards a goal. And by the mount Horeb they had camped for so long that God had to recharge them again:

“You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…”
Deuteronomy 1:6-7

Also the first disciples needed frequent refilling of The holy spirit to keep the fire burning (2) and move to with the Spirit. If they needed that, I need it too, because I need passion, I need the fire.

‘Manna’ for today:

I need fire to be on fire

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(1) Genesis 11:1-9
(2) Acts 4:31

It is about language

NORSK
I believe that one of the most important images of the Holy Spirit is ‘language’. Few things can be more concrete than language, at the same time it may turn out 100% abstract. 

Language is the tool we use to communicate our thoughts. Therefore, language becomes closely attached to “identity”.

Language issues are central in many of the conflicts around the world, and the story of the tower of Babel illustrates that in an excellent way (1).

It is very important for me to have an identity as a child of God, an identity that I can recognize in brothers and sisters of the same faith. To strengthen this identity I need a language that can "explain the unexplainable”. The disciples were not able to explain the ‘mystery of Jesus’ before they had been filled with ‘tongues of fire’ – or may be even more correct ‘the language of burning love’.

When that happened (2), the 120 were immediately able to grasp and communicate what they had tried to understand during the three years they had walked with Jesus.

I have already written about this several times on the blog – e.g.:

• "Tongues" of fire 
• Identity and language

And now I am reminded about the following truth:

‘Manna’ for today:

The language of burning love, is the identity of the life of holiness

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(1) The Tower of Babel - Gen 11:1-9
(2) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Acts 2:3