Forged in Fire

My father-in-law recently introduced me to a show on the History Channel called Forged in Fire. This program puts four bladesmiths in competition against each other to create knives and historical weapons. Part of the process of making these items is to stick the metal in the fire. The fire heats the metal making it easier to shape it. When they believe the blade is how they want it, the bladesmiths quench it in oil or water to harden it. If things do not go right in the quenching process, the blade can crack.  

I, by no means, am an expert weapon maker, nor do I desire to be near anything as hot as a forge. All I know about the process is what I have seen on the show.

The fire fascinates me, though. The temperature of a coal fire in a forge can be around 3500 degrees Fahrenheit. I thought summers in the South were hot, but this is way too much heat for me. I would rather sip lemonade in the shade or preferably in an air-conditioned room.

People use the term fire to symbolize passion. Not everyone has the same things about which they are passionate. Not everyone has the same amount of passion. Passion helps shape how you behave. Passion dictates your direction. Passion decides how much time you devote to certain things.

Many people start new jobs with passion. They are filled with excitement about the new opportunity. They are passionate about doing a good job. They may be passionate about advancement possibilities.  They may take work home. They may study certain subjects to make them more knowledgeable about their work. They may arrive early at work and then leave late. Truly passionate workers are dedicated.

Problems can occur. Some people are backstabbers, trying to hold you back so they can move up the ranks. Some people are lazy and hinder your success because they are responsible for something you need. Things that you try are not successful every time. Sometimes, you rarely see the progress you are seeking. 

These types of things can cause discouragement. Discouragement can hinder your progress. Discouragement can steal your passion. Discouragement can take you from extraordinary to ordinary. Discouragement is like taking the steel knife you are making and quenching it in water. It hardens your heart, but it also makes it easier to crack. 

There are other passions than work. Some are passionate about their hobbies. Some are passionate about their politics. Some are passionate about God.

Let us look at that last one. Many people are searching for some meaning in life. When they find a relationship (not a religion) with God, it brings passion into their lives. They devote themselves to studying His word, sharing their faith, and helping other people. These people are “on fire.”

Over the years, I have seen many people let the fire fizzle. They become judgmental. They get stuck in a routine. They get discouraged for various reasons. They just seem to burn out. I remember one woman who told me after I first became a Christian about 35 years ago that the fire I had would soon burn out. I guess encouraging people was not her gift.

However, we decide for ourselves when the fire burns out. If you are using fire to keep warm and it begins to go out, you do not just sit there hoping the fire comes back. You fan the flames and add wood to the fire. The same thing is true for the passion we have within us. We have to fan the flames. 2 Timothy 1 tells us to stir up the gift that is in us. We must do that. No one else will stir us up. We must guard our hearts against things that steal our passion. We must encourage ourselves to press forward. We must continue doing the things we know are good. Do not let the fire go out.