Set apart, set ablaze

In this world where sin is a thick pollution, the truth is an oxygen mask. You know when it’s there because your atrophying lungs demand you to get more of it. Its authenticity cannot be denied nor be made counterfeit because nothing else produces its effects.

Evil is a wide-spread consumptive beast that has claws that sink in like radiation into all living things. It mutilates us transforming us from our original purpose. Yet our eyes see ‘good’ while minds plot and scheme.

Ears listen to the lulls of sweet siren voices that promise delight but deliver death. The tangible darkness in our spirits snuffs out small flames of flickering hope. Master paradigms, keep the rest of its being addicted to the ecstasy of self. This drug keeps us focused on our feelings, our desires, our dreams, our greed, our lives.

The fruit tree was not created to eat its own fruit. And while on the ‘trip’ of life, we’ve missed it. Distracted by the narcissistic obsession of our beloved idol. Slaves catering to every whim of that idol, we deny having any control over our choices, reactions and priorities. We worship in servitude whilst we wither away.

Yet... there is an everlasting merging of Flame, Water and Air that may restore all that has been lost. The Flame looks to your spirit which has been overrun by dry hardened thicket. Grief, hate, fears, grudges, lusts, addictions, insecurities and pride are roots so painfully embedded that puncture your purpose.

What can you do? The answer is simple, see the Flame and surrender. The Flame can burn it all away and use it as kindle to burn all the more brightly. The dark’s antithesis of light, ends the former's existence.

The Water looks to the soul’s captive mind which has been made a stronghold. Yet it is not daunted, there is no hesitation or question of its power.

What can you do? Even the slave has the power to open the door, so let it in. Let the tsunami remove all that is unholy and every master stronghold’s shackles. Let it cleanse, renew, restore and revive you to life.

Air awaits, at the ready, to dive in and caress your lungs forcing the polluted air into an expulsion from the body. You cough and sputter eventually calming down enough to take in the pleasant sensation seeping into your body. Oxygenated molecules are overriding the radiation, restoring your very DNA to its original divine purpose.

You hear a soft whisper and tune into your hearing, it calls out “Beloved...”. You strain your ears to hear more and it calls out “Beloved...” once more. This voice brings an unadulterated joy which you have never experienced before.

You seek for the voice, every atom at attention, soaked in longing and hear “Beloved, you are mine.” And then you begin to laugh in bliss, in joy, in freedom, knowing pure and unconditional love. And you start to cry in relief at the absence of the burden you could never lift. Cathartic tears form and release and you finally open your eyes to a blurred world. Something then sets into your spirit, soul and body. Peace...

How could this be possible? you ask.

There is a Lion with wildfire in His eyes, who sends His pure spirit like a crucible that rids all impurities. Darkness is not a competitor as when light shows up, it runs out. Dry branches are only fuel which reveal more of its tremendous glory. The more it spreads the further it signals to other’s spirits. The greatest honour is to be consumed and made like the flame of the Holy Spirit.

There was a man upon a cross who was pierced with a spear. From the opening of His side came water. His water, produced of sacrifice, signalled the changing of the authority of the earth and all its subjects as well as death. His shed blood is the only true authority over everything. All are subject to His power and will. The greatest sacrifice was made when He took your sin and your deserved punishment on Himself.

There is a Being that decided to create through words. As He spoke, so it was. He breathed life, likeness and purpose into one of His many creations. Man. In their gift of choice they rejected Him and worshiped Self instead. He will always be God however and His Word is truth, power, wisdom. Speaking over you His breath brings life in abundance. The greatest intimacy will be found in knowing His life giving Words.

You ask “What now?”

I tell you:

Keep the tools of true repentance and forgiveness close at hand, to keep the freshly growing garden of your spirit, from the weeds that turn to thicket. Allow the dew drops of each morning to remind you of what He has done as well as of His renewed mercies each morning.

Then focus your mind on your Beloved, hear, speak and meditate on His Word. See the world through His eyes, hear creation through His ears and seek the will of your Father who has made you His child. Know what He has saved you from, ask what He has saved you to. All the while burning brightly, as a bonfire to all others, declaring the cure to the lost.

May His anointed oil pour over you and set you ablaze in Him.

- Rachel Hayley Swanepoel