Flames of Praise

It was something I wasn’t expecting…

To witness worship that morning.

A routine drive into work, eyes fixed on the road, mind running through the day’s list, fingers tapping on steering wheel to the beat of happy song.  The crisp fall air was glowing with the season’s first frost and seemed to sparkle to a song of its own.

It’s easy to drowsily drive through the morning and not take notice of surroundings, but something wonderful caught my eye and so clearly, it spoke to my heart.

It was trees…  the leaves…  the color…  a row of majestic maples standing all ablaze in glorious red!

Each branch reaching high toward heaven.

Those leaves on fire for God ~ burning with praise for their Maker!

The scene brought to mind a verse in the book of Luke where Jesus said something like, if His disciples kept silent, the stones would cry out with praise.  It seemed on this particular morning, it was the trees crying out with praise that only His ears could hear.

And oh, in that moment of quietly captured beauty, a spark ignited in my heart. My soul filled with gratitude, and awestruck, my spirit bowed down low to join in this worship of the One who made it all.

With the fiery vision burning in my mind I began to reflect on how small at times was the flame burning inside my heart for Him, and in repentance, this prayer of poetry I lifted to my LORD;

Refine me in Thy holy fire

And melt away all my selfish desires

Transforming this cold heart of mine

To burn as one that's wholly Thine

I give my life to You my LORD

And drench it in Thy Holy Word

Until my soul is burning bright

And Jesus is the only Light

That shines from every part of me

No more darkness, finally free

To discover all You've made me for

On wings as eagles, made to soar

High above the grip of sin

As Thy Holy Spirit lives within

This heart, that You're refining still

Making pure… To do Thy will

With my spirit now humbled, silent and still before Him, a new prayer began to rise. . .  

Oh LORD, stir my soul into flames of praise! 

Whatever it takes! May this fire never be reduced, but always burn passion for You! 

Refine my faith and make it pure, for Your glory, in the holy fire, that never fades!

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”  - Luke 19:40

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; 
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 

- Isaiah 55:12