Are You Ignitable?
Photo Credit: Alexander Stein, via Pixabay
“He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable?
God deliver me from the dread asbestos of ‘other things.’
Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be a flame.
But flame is transient, often short-lived.
Canst thou bear this, my soul – short life?
In me there dwells the Spirit of the Great Short-Lived,
whose zeal for God’s house consumed Him.
‘Make me Thy Fuel, Flame of God.’”
–Jim Elliot as quoted in The Shadow of the Almighty
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Make Me Thy Fuel
From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified,
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire,
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.–Amy Carmichael from Toward Jersualem
Lyli,
Wow…quotes from two spiritual giants…Jim Elliot’s words seem particularly poignant as he died a martyr’s death in Ecuador (?)…he burned brightly with zeal for God and his soul lives on with God…so humbling as I read his and Amy’s words…praying you continue to shine brightly with your life, my friend 🙂
Our church is working its way through the book of Acts on weekends, Dolly. The series is titled “Acts: Fire from Above.” This past weekend, we looked at Stephen, the first martyr of the early church. My pastor alluded to part of Elliot’s and Carmichael’s words in his sermon, and I went digging online for the longer quotes when I got home.
Love this! Our current piece for our dance ministry is called Fire of the Spirit. Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!
How beautiful that you are able to use your gifts to encourage others in this way, Laurie!
Hi Lily, this is a beautiful poem and something to ponder on. Thank you for sharing
You quote two of my favorites today. I need to go back and read their books again.
I’ve been a longtime admirer of Jim and Elizabeth Elliot and was thrilled to get to hear her in person almost 20 years ago.
I was able to hear her speak here in the States about 25 years ago as well. Two good friends and I actually drove to Tennesee to hear her speak at a conference there.
Lyli, both quotes are beautiful. But this from Amy Carmichael…
“Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire,”
Now this is something to think about & pray for – all day, all of our days.
I love Amy Carmichael’s poetry, and was so excited this weekend when my pastor reminded me about this one. I have a book of her poems somewhere — need to find it and pull it off the shelf for a revisit.
Thank you so much for hosting and another great post.
So glad you are joining us, Jenny. 🙂
This makes me think of one of my favorite verses from Jeremiah:
If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.
Jeremiah 20:9
May we keep that fire burning! Thanks, Lyli.
Thanks for making that connection, Lisa. Love that Scripture. (and Jeremiah definitely lived out this message)