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Keep the Fire BurningAugust 27, 2008Leviticus 6:13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out. The Old Testament book of Leviticus has also been called the Priest’s Manual, but it is more than that. It is full of rituals that help everyone, not just the priests, distinguish between what is common and what is sacred. It serves a guide for the Israelites on what is clean and unclean, dietary regulations, festival occasions, ethics, sexual relations, blasphemy, Sabbath, etc. It is not just a book for priest, but for all that want to live holy lives in accordance with God’s laws. It was the role of the priests to make sure that the Israelites lived according to God’s laws. If anyone broke any of the laws, then the priests would have to perform certain rituals to restore the people back to a right relationship with God and one another. Different offenses required different rituals. The book of Leviticus begins by describing how the offender and the priest were to perform the rituals that required sacrifice. Today’s scripture specifically deals with the handling of burnt offerings. It gives the priests specific instructions on when and how to clean the altar. The main concern is that the fire on the altar be kept burning. This is not any ordinary fire; it is a sacred fire. The perpetual fire is a sign of the presence of God, creator of the world and deliverer of Israel. Around campus you will be seeing students wearing t-shirts with this verse on the back of it. Campus Ministry chose this verse after a conversation we had this summer about how easy it is to lose one’s fire or passion for God. We recognized that our good intentions weren’t always enough to keep our fire for God burning all year long. School, work, and many other obligations would distract us from tending to the fire of God in our heart. We would start with a good fire burning, but at some point would walk away from it. It would burn on its own for a while, but eventually it would fade out. Does this sound like a familiar pattern in your life? Most of us have great and well-meaning intentions to make a change in our lives. We profess that this year things are going to be different. This year I am going to focus on what’s important and not get distracted by other’s demands. This year I am going to get away from my desk on Thursdays and go to chapel. This year I am going to ___________ (fill in blank). Well, this year has arrived. We are standing at the beginning of a nine month journey. Whether this is your first year or your fifth year at Reinhardt, I challenge us all to keep the fire for God burning in our hearts all year long. This means that we have to intentionally tend to the flame throughout the year. How will you commit to tend to the fire of God in your heart so that it will burn continuously and not go out? Prayer: Everlasting God, as I begin this new academic year, I ask for your help. It is my desire that my passion for you burn within me all year long. I do not want the fire to go out. This year I commit to _____________ in order to keep my fire for you burning. Amen. Peace and Blessings, "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord." -Psalm 31:24 For more informationRev. Leigh Martin |
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