Fragrant Flame

So I just finished reading not a fan. by Kyle Idleman. Gist is that there is a difference between someone who likes Jesus and what He stands for and someone who is "all-in." As in, A L L   I N.
I squirmed a lot over the last few days as I read a chapter or two each morning. (It's red-hot important to note that I started this short book at least a year ago.) One of the things that I'd like to change about myself is that I would like to consistently start my day with prayer and reading the Bible. I came down this morning to my study and found, to my horror, that I had left a scented candle burning all night long. Once I realized that the wicks were not smoking and absolutely nothing was amiss (except that the room smelled amazing), I wondered something. Was God welcoming me into this space for some time with Him?

The Bible says God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). He is our light in dark places (Psalm 18:28). His spirit working through us makes us a disseminate his goodness like a perfume (2 Corinthians 2:15).

If you think that God is not ALL ABOUT symbolism, you haven't read the Old Testament. You haven't read the new, for that matter. Check out the book of Revelation. Slow down and check out your own life, line by line. Today I challenge you to prayerfully check out your everyday life. God is in the details and he is, quite often, communicating with you symbolically. Please share with me some symbols God has used to reinforce his goodness and his presence in your life! I'll be encouraged by them.

Back to my morning welcome. It reminded me that I'm not following a rigid set of rules, but a God who is warm, alive, and beckoning. He loves me and wants to spend time with me. What better way to validate someone? What better way to love them?