Catching Fire

This past week I saw a movie called The Hunger Games, Catching Fire. I enjoyed the first one and it has increasingly become more and more popular. As I watched the second one I realized I was watching a teenager that is being portrayed as a leader, hero, and someone who everyone looks up to. How was she able to do that and can God use teenagers in the same way?

In the movie Katniss Everdeen is a simple girl who never wanted to be in the lime light. What was so incredible about her was her courage and her willingness to always stand up for what was right. I love  what symbolized this the most was the scene where she had the flaming clothes coming back into the capital. Everyone starting calling her the "girl on Fire" and wanted to be just like her!

What would it look like if students and young adults were looked as the girl on fire or the man on fire? Students and young adults that were brave, had courage, and always stood up for what is right. Romans 12:11 says, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor." Sometimes people will say that person is on fire for God! That phrase means that they are committed and they love the things of God. Actually the word fervor in the original language the Bible was written can mean "to be hot"!

Just like Katniss you wonder why anyone would ever look up to you or listen to you. Allow your actions to speak for themselves. When someone is being bullied step in. When you hear gossip stop it when it comes to you. When someone asks you if you believe in that "God stuff" answer boldly that you do. When you begin to do that people are going to see that you are different and they are going to want to follow what is true and honest.

Some of you may feel like your fire is about to burn out. Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6 "to fan into flame the gift of God." All of us have something that God has given to us to bless others and to glorify him. Continually seek him and allow him to show that to you and use it. When we stay close to God our fire in our heart will burn hot and be bright.

So today why do you commit to being on fire not for a rebellion in a fictional book but for the cause and mission of God! Stand up when everyone else bows down and bow down to God when everyone else stands and leaves. Go against the grain and follow God with all you have. When we step out with our actions and faith God will use us and people will follow us. It is time to catch fire...