THE INTENSITY OF HIS FIRE:  VESSELS THAT MAGNIFY

PAIN WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE 

While taking some time away this past year, we experienced a “natural” event that brought forth “supernatural” revelation.  We went to lunch at a restaurant that was located on a lake, and were seated outside on the deck.  It was a bright, sunny day, and we both ordered a glass of white wine.  At one point after sitting for a few minutes sipping on our wine, Denise reached again for her glass and suddenly cried “OUCH,” and jerked her hand back—complaining of a sharp pain in her finger.  We both looked closely at the table and the base of her glass, but could find nothing that would have caused her to react in such pain.  A few minutes later she again reached for her glass and immediately pulled her hand back again in pain.  Once more, we looked all around the table—including a search for any insects that might be stinging her--but we could not find any reason for this painful experience.  A few minutes later this same situation repeated itself—this time resulting in Denise accidentally knocking her glass over and spilling the remaining wine. 

IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE OF PAIN

As we examined the table this time, we finally identified the reason for these painful experiences.  Denise’s glass was positioned in such a manner that the rays of the sun were being transmitted through her glass and directly to the top of the table.  The table was made of metal and covered with a plastic material.  As the sun’s rays were being transmitted through her glass, it was resulting in small areas on the top of the table around the base of her glass to catch fire, resulting in a small amount of smoke.  As Denise would reach for her glass, she was unknowingly touching this area with her fingers and was feeling the burning sensation, which caused her to immediately withdraw her hand.

REFLECTION BRINGS REVELATION

Neither of us had ever experienced such an occurrence before, and as we later reflected on this event, we sensed the Lord bringing forth the following revelation . . .

HOLDING THE SUBSTANCE OF HIS PRESENCE

The “sun” or “Son” was shining through a “clear” vessel, and as a result of the vessel, the light was magnified.  It became more “focused” rather than “diffused,” and its intensity caused a fire to ignite.  We, as His “vessels,” must live lives focused on Him and His purposes, and we must be “clear” rather than cluttered by sin and things of this world.  Also, the clear liquid in the glass spoke to us about “transparency” in our dealings with the Lord and with others.  Only white wine (not red) would allow the rays to come through.  If we live our lives in a “protected” or less than transparent manner; this, too, will obstruct His light.  And just as this vessel was made to hold a substance, we are made to hold the substance of His presence and reflect His power. 

POSITIONING OURSELVES FOR HIS PURPOSES

The vessel, however, wasn’t “doing” anything significant in its own right—it was simply sitting in the “right place at the right time” reflecting and magnifying the “sun.”  This event occurred, however, at a particular time of day—when the sun was the brightest and most intense.  At any other time of the day this same event would not have occurred.  We, in turn, must be “discerning of the times” or “kairos moments,” and learn and respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings as to how and when we are to position ourselves to allow the Son to be magnified through us.  We must also recognize that the power wasn’t in the vessel—it was in and from the sun.  However, the vessel was necessary—the sun could not have achieved its burning effect without the presence of the vessel.  Again, the vessel magnified the sun—the sun did not magnify the vessel.  We will, however, do “greater things” as we allow Him to be magnified.  When we allow ourselves to be used to magnify Him, we will become “fire starters” and we will see these “fires” started wherever we go. 

RUNNING FROM THE PAIN

Interestingly, when the fire came and Denise encountered it, her natural reaction was to “get away from it,” as it caused pain.  We in the Body of Christ often try to run away from His “fire” when we encounter it, because it often brings pain in its “burning,” and we don’t understand what is happening (we can’t “figure it out”).  The fire caused pain, which triggered questions.  Once we began to understand what was occurring, we could respond more effectively.  In this process of obtaining understanding, we first asked ourselves “what is happening, why is this happening, how could it be happening,” and then the understanding or revelation came.  We may find it helpful to follow a similar pattern in our dealings with the Lord. 

BEING PEOPLE OF DISCERNMENT (UNDERSTANDING)

Finally, we later noticed that there were other burn marks in the table, and a high probability that this phenomenon was not identified (not discerned) previously by those sitting at this table.  We must be aware of the times and seasons that we live in, in order to be able to respond and be “magnifiers of His light.”

Please pray with me . . . Father, I thank you that you use the natural to speak of the supernatural.  Help me to have a greater awareness of when you are speaking, and give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand.  Lord Jesus, you said you came to “bring fire on the earth . . .” (Lk. 12:49), and your life and ministry did that very thing.  You were a “fire starter,” and You reflected your Father’s nature and His will in all that you did.  You baptize with the Holy Spirit AND with fire (Lk. 3:16).  Cause me to reflect you in all that I am and all that I do.  Re-ignite in me the fire that you so desire to see and that I desire to experience.  Help me to yield myself fully to you and your plans for me, knowing that it is only by Your grace that I am able to fulfill your kingdom purposes for my life.  Baptize me anew with Your Holy Spirit AND WITH FIRE—the fire of your passionate heart that burns for me, for your church, and for a lost and dying world in need of a Savior and a Bridegroom-King.  Thank you, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

From the Father’s Heart,

Jerry Basel