Stay In the Fire

written by Donna Linville, UPCI Sages Virginia District Director

As I've gotten older, I've heard people say many times, "Let the younger ones do it. They have more strength and more vitality." I certainly agree with that—to a point. Yes, they have more strength and energy, but I don't believe that means we should throw in the towel and give up.

I may not run as fast as I once did, but I'm still in the race.

Starting a fire takes effort, but keeping it burning requires constant attention. If the fire is left unattended, it will eventually go out.

That brings me to the title of this little article:

Donna Linville, Author

Stay in the Fire.

I've watched wonderful people who faithfully served the Lord for years reach a place where they think, You know what? I'm just tired. I'm going to stop and rest.

Now, the word rest sounds wonderful to me. I love to rest, and I know we all need it. But there is a difference between resting and walking away from the fire. I believe stepping away from the things of God can become very dangerous to our souls.

When we stop being faithful to the house of God, stop participating in church life, and slowly withdraw from fellowship, we place ourselves in danger. The fire that once burned so brightly can begin to grow dim.

Certainly, health can become an issue. Our eyesight may fail, making it difficult to drive. Our bodies may not allow us to do everything we once did. Those are realities of life. But even then, let's keep fanning the fire. Let's keep feeding the fire.

I may not be able to run the aisles anymore. I may not be able to leap for joy as I once did. But I can still lift my voice in worship. I can still wave a handkerchief. I can still smile at the young people. I can still encourage my church. I can still support my pastor and his wife. I can still pray for my family. And by the grace of God, I can keep the fire in my own soul burning.

I was privileged to have a mother who stayed in the fire until she was ninety-eight years old.

She lived with me during her final years. Many nights I would walk into her room and find her lying in her hospital bed, speaking in tongues. My brother would come by in the evenings and sing, "Oh, What a Day That Will Be," and as he sang, she would begin speaking in tongues again. Then she would reach for our hands and pray for us.

What an example she was.

After my father passed away, Mother moved in with us while my husband and I were starting a Home Missions church in Portsmouth, Virginia. We could not have asked for a better saint of God to be part of that new church.

Though her hands were twisted with severe arthritis, she would lift them toward heaven in worship. Tears of joy would stream down her face as she praised God. Our new converts watched her, and without realizing it, they were learning what lifelong faithfulness looked like.

On a humorous note, one Wednesday evening we were having testimony service. Mother stood and announced how thankful she was that everyone paid their tithes! She was trying so hard to encourage the church. My husband nearly had a heart attack! Later he gently said, "Please tell your mother we appreciate her trying to help us, but maybe she shouldn't mention that during testimony service."

We laughed about it for years.

She never stopped fanning the fire.

Our church family loved her dearly, and she was greatly missed when the Lord called her home.

As for me, I have made up my mind.

I'm never going to stop fanning the fire in my own soul. I'm going to keep fanning the fire for my church, for my pastor, for my family, and for anyone who may be watching my life as an example.

What are we telling the younger generation by the way we live?

Let's show them that living for God is still worth giving Him our very best. Let's show them that the journey is worth finishing. Let's show them that the fire is worth protecting.

No matter our age…

STAY IN THE FIRE.