2.12.18 Prayer Prompt: How We Are Like the Olympic Flame

PRAYER PROMPT ••• Are you watching the Olympics?
I’ve only vaguely followed this year.
But last night, I read an article about the Olympic torch.
Being the trivia nerd I am, I was interested in how the flame is lit and how it stays lit.
You can Google the article (Mental Floss) but here’s a summary: performers in Greece use a parabolic mirror to light the Olympic cauldron via the sun’s rays.
Then, thousands of torchbearers are responsible for getting the torch from Point A to Point Z without the flame being extinguished.
Throughout the years, the journey of the Olympic flame has been full of obstacles.
The article had several examples of the challenges the torchbearers have faced, including a man in Brazil who tried to douse the flame as it passed through his town.
How often do we as Christians experience the same thing?
Fighting to keep our light for Christ burning when the world wants our light extinguished.
In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Just as thousands of people are responsible for a keeping a flame lit for the Olympic Games, we are responsible for keeping our flames lit for Christ.
Even when others want to snuff out our light.
And you don’t need to be a long-time Christian to know how others will go to great lengths to pour water on your flame!
From making fun of our beliefs to outright disdain, we have a challenging journey too.
But we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
No one has the authority to override Him.
Of course, in order to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we have to invite Him to be active and engaged in our lives.
We can’t lock Him in a closet in our hearts and expect our flame to be strong and bright.
Today, as you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to help your flame stay brightly lit throughout your life.
Ask Him to protect the flame from those who want to quash it, discourage you, and prevent you from sharing your light with others.
Ask him to help you help light the way for others to know Jesus too.