Fanning the Flame

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

Not many of us have a coal fire in the house anymore, although a fireplace may remain as a reminder of days gone by. But you might still remember the ritual of it – reaching for the poker, nudging the coals and watching the ash falling away before seeing the sudden burst of orange as the flame came back to life. It didn’t take much, really. Just the right touch, in the right place, at the right time. Keep that image in mind as we think about Hebrews 10:24.

The writer is asking us to deliberately think of ways in which we can encourage each other to be active in our faith. A faith that is, quite literally, worked out through the good that we do, because, ‘faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead’ (James 2:17). It’s just a piece of coal on the wrong side of the grate.

How, then, do we stir up one another to love and good works? In ‘considering’ what we can do, we need to really see the people around us. When we notice what is happening in someone’s life, we can speak love into their situation. A kind word spoken at the right moment can remind a person that they are seen; that they matter. It can be sitting with the person who is alone at a table, rather than asking if we can take away one of the chairs. Kindness stirs up love.

Invitation can stir up good works. People can sometimes be unaware of where help is needed, so encouraging someone into doing something good, may simply mean inviting them to serve alongside us in a volunteer role. Often, people are just waiting to be asked. We all like to be needed, to feel useful and to do something that matters. God designed us to love; He designed us to do good things.

When we encourage each other – stir up one another – we are fanning the flame of who God wants us to be; who He made us to be.