Burst Into Flames: A Parable

The next morning, Blake woke before the alarm clock went off and found himself singing praise songs as he went through his routine. He couldn't wait to sit down in the prayer closet and spend time with God again. His prayer time was full of praise for God's amazing power of thanksgiving that he was allowed to participate in such a great miracle. With a real sense of expectation, Blake asked the Lord if there was anything that God wanted to say to him. As he sat there waiting on the Lord, he had the idea of reading the second chapter of second Timothy. While he wasn't sure whether the concept might have been from the Lord or just his imagination, he treated it as if it were from the Lord.

  He read the chapter, remaining open to whatever the Holy Spirit might want him to see in the scripture. Many of the points in the verses seemed interesting, but they didn't speak to him. As he approached the end of the chapter, he read, “he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work47” It was as if the words were somehow highlighted in neon when he read them. He knew that this would be his prayer, that he would actually be useful to God, prepared and available for whatever good work, according to God's plan. He has seen God's incredible power and wanted to see that at work in his everyday life.