It could be a big Gamecock or Tiger victory, a beautiful day at the beach, time spent with family, or losing oneself in glorious worship. One of the things that sets my heart ablaze is when I wake up on a Saturday morning and with no pressure to be anywhere, simply sitting out on our porch in quiet time with the Lord. That sense of freedom, knowing there is no pressure to be anywhere but just in the presence of the Lord sets my heart ablaze!
More broadly, I find my heart set ablaze when I see people living and giving into their God Given purpose. This has been happening at every meeting. For instance, the Global Impact Celebration, men and women planning our huge missions conference for February 12-19, 2012. As I look around that room, I see hearts ablaze with the passion for Christ through missions. We see that also in our Ukraine Missions team, our children and youth ministers, our small group leaders in Alpha and Beta… I could happily go on and on!
These passionate men and women are both living their purpose and giving toward their purpose in finances and time.
Adam Hamilton in his book: ENOUGH, Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity writes:
“Which do you find more admirable in a person-someone who is living at the edge of his or her means and thus cannot do the things that really matter, or someone who lives below his or her means and has a meaningful life of purpose? Do you admire the one who lives extravagantly or the one who gives extravagantly?”
Hearts are set ablaze when we are both living that God-Given Purpose that is unique to each and every heart, and out of GRATITUDE for the purpose he’s given, giving back 10% of all that we have.
When that God-Given Purpose combines with the giving from our pocket book, combustion happens! Hearts are set ablaze!
Elizabeth and I are now giving back around 12,000 a year, why? Out of sheer gratitude to God for the purpose he’s given us in our lives. Can we afford it? Of course not, but it’s that very fact that keeps us daily on our knees living in complete dependence on Christ alone.
Our theme verse from Ephesians sums it up: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3: 21
Local Artist Translates What it Means When our Hearts are Set Ablaze
22 year old Rachel Cantrill Causey, artist and member of St. Michael’s since 1994 is our featured artist to bring alive our 2011 tithing theme:
“Hearts Set Ablaze, Tithing by Faith”
Many thanks to Rachel for this expression on paper of a heart set ablaze.
To bring this theme alive through word, in the next several editions of the Messenger, you will hear stories of hearts set ablaze through tithing. Stories from your clergy and vestry team. Read on, be inspired and let your heart be set ablaze!