I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m a firm believer in both/and’s. My theory is we live in a world of constant both/and’s. Jesus is a Force I struggle to comprehend completely because He exudes Both/And’s.
For example, Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb, the Most High King and the Humble Servant, the Beginning and the End.
It will probably take more than my whole life to know all there is to know about Jesus. But today, my heart wants to tell you about one of His Both/And’s that has lit up my life.
Jesus is both the Flicker and the Fierce Flame in my life.
You see sometimes I just need the gentle movement of His touch, like the wave of a flickering flame of a candle. It’s as though He knows I need a gentle reminder of His love. Perhaps I need a gentle touch of comfort like a light hug or a gentle hand holding mine offers. Or His Flickering Flame may be a gentle nudge I’ve sinned and to apologize to someone, or I need notice someone who needs encouragement. The Flicker is gentle and quick.
Other times, Jesus comes into my life like a Fierce Flame. I think of a time when one of our neighbors poured gasoline on a campfire we were trying to ignite and in a split second these powerful, all-consuming flames shot up from nowhere like they were trying to touch the stars. The light was as bright as day and the heat was hotter than we could bear. We all stepped back in awe and let’s face it, fear!
Jesus is also the Fierce Flame in my life. There are times He has to come in with all-consuming flames to ignite His power inside of me. I know now that these times come for four reasons (at least this is my personal experience).
- One, to show me my sin, my fierce sin, and to burn it up.
- Second, to motivate me to get moving in some way.
- Third, to create bright light to show me the path.
- Fourth, to demonstrate His mighty power.
Both the Flicker and the Fierce Flame are needed in my life. I suspect they’re needed in all of our lives because sometimes we need the gentle Lamb and sometimes we need the fierce Lion.
Jesus may be the Force I struggle to comprehend completely, but I’m made in His image, so that means I have some fierceness in me too. I’ve decided this Advent season I’m going to aim my fierceness at getting to know more of who Jesus is. Then I’m going to let my flickering flame light up these insights for you.
May you have both a flickering and a fierce Advent Season too.
Psalm 47:2 (Most High King)
Philippians 2:5-8 (Humble Servant)
Revelation 5:5-6 (Lion and Lamb)
Revelation 22:13 (Beginning and End)
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