[317 words]
In one of Jack London’s short stories, he writes about a fellow who was a newcomer to the Alaska gold rush. As he outfits to go out to “stake his claim and strike it rich,” a seasoned veteran gives him some advice.
“It’s winter, so whenever you pause from hiking, be sure to light a fire before doing anything else…including resting.”
The rookie millionaire want-a-be hikes for hours toward unclaimed land to set up his land claim. Finally, he stops. He is exhausted. So, he rests under a tree “for only a moment.” He figures that a little rest before making his fire and setting up camp wouldn’t hurt. He ignored the advice from the old outfitter. He drifts into a short nap.
When he awakes, he finds that his hands and feet are so numb from the cold that he cannot make his fire. His body grows cold and his first day in Alaska becomes his last.
A sad story with no happy ending. But I find in this little bit of fiction a parable for life. If you don’t light a spiritual fire, you will soon grow numb and your spiritual life will fade and flicker out. How do we do we light such a fire? There are three important steps.
Listen to God daily. This means reading the Bible every day. If your time is limited or your eyesight is faltering, then you can listen to recordings of Bible on tape or CD. “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21b).
Be diligent in doing God’s work. This means worshiping with the brethren and telling others about Christ. The opposite of this is described in Luke 8:14.
Pray often. This keeps the fire in our lives going as much as stoking a camp-fire with more wood (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX