Electric Fire
By Phil Rushton, Lead Pastor
“The reason why anyone refuses his assent to your opinion is in you. He refuses to accept you as a bringer of truth, because, though you think you have it, he feels that you have it not. You have not given him the authentic sign.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
In his book, Aflame, Pico Lyer tells the story of a man who had a surprising encounter with a Benedictine monk at the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. This man had recently received a 3 million dollar inheritance and told one of the monks that he wanted to make a large donation to the monastery. To his surprise, the monk encouraged him to hold off on giving them any money for a while. The monk advised him to wait until he really knew what he wanted to do with his inheritance. Reflecting on this experience, the potential donor wrote, “So many worthy causes keep bombarding us with requests. They want more money, new members, they’re so keen to seem up-to-the-moment. I like the way these guys almost never ask for anything. They have no interest in being cool. Their longing is to be warm. On fire even.”
The revivalist Leonard Ravenhill once said, “You never have to advertise a fire.” People are naturally drawn to the warmth and light of a fire. If a large fire breaks out, people stop to look. In a similar way, the story about the donor and the monk reveals that people are drawn to those who exude an authentic faith and a spiritual warmth. As Ralph Waldo Emerson observes, people are intuitively looking for an authentic sign.
When Christian individuals or communities are insecure about their lack of influence or impact in the world, they can get into marketing mode. I regularly receive appeals from ministries that seek to drum up support and seem “up-to-the-moment” with slick and professional marketing campaigns. These appeals sometimes lack authenticity. They sometimes seem more desperate than credible.
This got me thinking about the difference between a real fire and those fake electric fireplaces you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot. An electric fire does have its conveniences. It is easy to control, it provides on-demand heat with the flick of a switch, you can set a precise temperature, and it is something that can be easily replicated and produced. However, it doesn’t feel like a real fire. For one thing, the flames are usually made with lights that follow a predictable pattern. It’s not fooling anyone! These faux flames aren’t even producing the warmth; they are just there for show.
Real fires are less convenient, to be sure. They are harder to start. They require regular refueling, attention, and vigilance. They can be a bit messy and leave smoke in your eyes. They are less predictable and even come with some risk. Yet, they create a warmth and hospitality that an electric fire will never accomplish.
I’m inspired by the monks of New Camaldoli Hermitage. My hope is that we might have a longing to be warm. On fire even! I’m convinced that the church’s most important work of outreach begins by forming disciples who exude the authentic sign. The way of Jesus is often slow, messy, unpredictable, and time-consuming. But the formation of authentic disciples creates a credible, hospitable, and compelling witness to the world around us.
God Bless,
Pastor Phi