Friction

Several decades ago when I was growing up, if you wanted to light a cigarette or start a fire, there was basically two choices: a match or a Zippo lighter. Now I’m sure that most of you may not know about Zippo lighters. It had a small metal case with a flip top and a screw in the bottom. The screw in the bottom was to squirt lighter fluid into the lighter and there was cotton inside to hold it. Under the flip top were a wick, a flint, and a wheel that touched the flint. In order to light the wick, you spun the wheel, which scraped the flint and created sparks which, in turn, lit the wick. Matches are much older, invented and improved in the mid and late 19th century. The basic match is either a wood stick or small cardboard stick. The head of the match is primarily potassium chlorate. When it is rubber across a striking surface it will light. The striking surface is a rough surface containing primarily red phosphorus. When the match head I scrubbed against it, the two chemicals are combined and that is what causes the match. What is common between the lighter and the match? Friction. Whether it is a wheel scrapping a flint or a match rubber against a rough surface, they both need friction to create fire.

So, what does this long chemistry lesson have to do with us? We refer to it in a variety of ways. If two people don’t get along, we talk about the friction between them that lights a fire which can escalate to angry words, violence or even death. We say that one rubbed the other the wrong way. On the other hand, we talk about two lovers and how they just create the right sparks that ignites their relationship. Dating someone seriously was once called sparking.

Take the first part of that last paragraph and think about it. Who have you rubbed the wrong way? Fix it. Has someone else rubbed you the wrong way? Talk to them, resolve it, forgive them, and fix it. Are they someone who will not talk to you or will not do anything to fix it? Pray for them, forgive them, and move on. But be open to them should God’s grace lead them back to you and give you the opportunity to fix it. Consider the following:

Matthew 5:23 – 24: 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (NKJV)

Of course, all of this talk about friction, sparks, and fire would not be complete without remembering the time when God struck a spark and started a fire. That fire is the one that never quenches, never consumes, and never dies. That fire is the fires of hell and the realm of the Enemy.

That’s a whole lot of words to get to the question of what does all of that have to do with our relationship with God? Well, we constantly reference it when we talk about our relationship with him. We talk about a preacher who preaches about fire and brimstone. We talk about preachers who are on fire for the Lord. Then there is your wanting to create a spark in someone to fire them up for the faith, to direct them down the right path towards the light. We talk about getting someone around strong believers so some of that will rub off, friction again, and point them towards God. I’m sure you can come up with examples of your own, so think about it.

How about you? Do you have God’s fire in you? I’m not saying you have to go stand on a street corner and preach to the passersby. If someone asks you if you are a follower of God, of his son, Jesus Christ,

do you mumble a quiet “yes” or do you admit it in such a way that the questioner knows here you stand in your faith. Or maybe you are one of those who deny your faith because it isn’t popular or politically correct to be one of his. If you are just lukewarm, what can you do to create a spark that will light your fire? Who or what will be that which you rub against, scrape against, that crates the friction that brings fire, warmth, and light into your life, your soul, and to all of those around you?

Remember that fire warms as well as destroys, so why not do whatever it takes for you to be in the warmth of God’s love. If you are not there today, then today is the day to start. Do it.