HEAVEN'S FIRE
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us
shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with
thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." (Ps 95:1-2 NIV)
When I was a little boy our church was always full of
music. We didn't have an organ, a band, or even a stereo. All that we had
was one lady with a guitar, but when she sang I am sure that all of Heaven's
angels must have joined in. During the week she was the music teacher at our
local grade school. Many of the children's songs that still live on in my
mind today where learned in her class. It was the songs that she sang during
those Sunday services, however, that live on in my heart. I can still hear
her sweet guitar and joyful voice leading us in the hymns we sang. Her music
and her spirit were full of Heaven's fire. They brightened you up, warmed
you up, and lighted a fire in your own soul as well.
My hymn leader, music teacher, and friend moved away before I was old enough
to truly appreciate all that she meant to me. I never got to really thank
her for lighting a candle inside of me with her generous fire. I never got
to let her know that she started a song in my heart that still goes on
today. I just pray that where ever she is that she gets to read this and
knows how grateful we all are to her for burning so bright.
The most important thing that my friend taught me was that Heaven's fire
doesn't just burn in the hearts of certain people. It is available to us all
when we choose it. You can be full of Heaven's fire too. You can light
yourself up with love, joy, optimism, enthusiasm, energy, vitality, and
oneness with God. You can brighten up the souls, warm up the hearts, and
light up the lives of those around you. You can be a flame of goodness in an
often dark and cold world. You can take your flickering candle and turn it
into a blazing torch for everyone to see. You can share your generous fire
and light a candle inside of each person you meet as well. Don't let
yourself be a smoldering ember in this life. Live well, burn bright, and let
Heaven see your fire.
Joseph Mazzella
Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers. oecool@wirefire.com