Sinners are afraid in Zion; panic grips the godless. They say, ‘Who among us can coexist with destructive fire? Who among us can coexist with unquenchable fire.’ (Isaiah 33:14)
To die to self and live for Christ is like jumping into a volcano. Nevertheless, I was so disillusioned with the world’s alternatives that I volunteered for the plunge. This is my report from inside the volcano.
My knees flexed, ready to spring out, but fear made me indecisive. I got scuffed as I slid down on my rear, and it wasn’t pretty. When you make your leap, don’t hesitate, it only makes the descent painful. Jump into the middle.
Now I’m falling and alive more than ever before. The heat intensifies as one plummets, and holy fire chars my impurities at each temperature gradient. Once I accept the tolerable loss, I realize the joy of cleansing outweighs what I suffer. It feels beautiful to soar free of those encumbrances.
Another observable phenomenon is that the deeper I fall, the more transparent the world appears, while the things of the Spirit are increasingly real. Those questions we used to discuss on the rim—is God in our details, does the Spirit still do miracles—in here, all that’s obvious.
I’m not there yet, but I can see down to the core of molten love. By the time I fall into its radiant heart, hopefully there won’t be so much of the old me left that I explode. My goal is immunity to heat as the love lava passes through my spirit in absolute completion. I can’t wait to get there.
Prayer: Holy Creator, let me fall into white-hot love with you.