Today’s Scripture readings: Psalm 102, Jer. 20:7-11, 1 Cor. 10:14-17,11:27-32, John 17:1-11,12-26

Today’s writer: Elizabeth McGowan

“But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones” Jeremiah 20:9

The funny thing about fire is that it is both friend and foe.

This fire burns away and destroys pieces of our wicked hearts, leaving the charred remains of sin; which we cling to like gold. This Lenten season, as we come face to face with the ashes of our own depravity, it is God’s word which continues to smolder atop our unrelenting need to please ourselves.

Nevertheless, as this fire strips away the posture of self-love, it also warms our hearts with the promise of a coming Savior. It nourishes our bodies with the heat we need in the midst of this cold world. This fire is essential to our survival. It keeps our truest selves alive. Vibrant with passion and the saving words of grace.

So Jeremiah, my dear brother, I feel your pain. And I pray that each of us allows the fire of God’s word to do its redemptive work in our hearts. As Lent draws to a close and Easter approaches, let us burn with the words of resurrection in our bones and gather around the word of God together.