Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. — Jeremiah 20:9
You will often hear people when they talk about their passion talk about it as if it is a fire that burns inside them. I have heard many athletes say when they near retirement that the “fire is gone.” It means they lost their passion and burning desire for the game that they played.
Many will say similar things when they talk about other things that they are passionate about. I recently heard someone say those same words when talking about changing out of a volunteer position. They told me that their passion for the role was gone and that they felt it was best to let someone else take over.
God created us in such a unique way that we feel that burning desire inside us for the things that we ar most passionate about. Jeremiah described that passion as a burning fire here in this verse. He was talking about God and his passion for God.
Jeremiah initially said he would not speak of God anymore. He found that he couldn’t. He had such a passion and desire for God that he was unable to remain silent. He couldn’t hold it in. When you have a fire and passion inside you about something you will never be able to hold it in.
If we examine ourselves, do we find that we have a passion for God like Jeremiah? Are we so passionate about the things of God that we have to talk about God and all of His goodness? Just like Jeremiah, God is looking for Christians who have a burning fire in their hearts for Him. If you find that you don’t have that type of passion, ask God. Tell Him to show you how you can be set on fire for Him!
