Open the Damper

Galatians 5:16-26

As I write this, the temperature is a chilly 29o F. I’m housesitting for some friends. My responsibilities are to take care of their dogs, Hershey and Coffee, and to keep the wood fire going.

I’m doing fine with the chocolate lab (Hershey, of course), and the golden retriever. I took them for their walk this morning, fed them, and gave them TLC. Both are now asleep at my feet.

The woodstove, however, was a problem. I just couldn’t seem to get it going very well. I lit the paper and the fire was soon ablaze. But 15 minutes later—no fire. Just a couple of little red embers. So I reset the fire and tried again. Still no luck. What’s worse, I’m an experienced fire builder. I know how to do this. “This is humiliating,” I tell the dogs. They agree, sleepily.

So I go through a mental checklist. Dry wood. Laid out properly so air can flow through. Paper and kindling. Then I saw, at the bottom of the big iron stove, a lever that said LO-HI. For some reason it was set at LO, so very little air was flowing through the fire. I wrestled with the lever until I got it over to HI. Now the fire’s roaring. It needed air!

The Greek word for “air” is pneuma. For instance, a “pneumatic” drill is an air drill. The word is also part of the Holy Spirit’s name. The Holy Spirit is the “wind” or “breath” of God. He lives within us to keep the fire of our faith and witness burning brightly. Through Him, love, good works, and joy abound (Galatians 5:22-23).

Feeling spiritually cooled off? Nothing happening? No joy, no witness, no praise? You’re likely not “in step with the Spirit” (v.25). It’s time to “open the damper” and let the air of His influence flow freely again through you. Pray and ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit today. —Dave Egner

bottom line: Kindle your faith with the breath of God’s Spirit.

soul journey