There is a song on Meredith Andrews latest CD, “Worth It All“, titled “Burn Away”. The lyrics of the song express the desire to remove everything from our lives that is not of God.
Burn Away
Everything that breaks your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
Take Away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You
Burn away
What an incredible prayer for our own lives. This is what true discipleship looks like. When we rid ourselves of all that is not of Christ, we will then brightly reflect His glory.
What if we were to make this our prayer? Ask the question, “What in my life is breaking God’s heart?” In what activities am I engaged that I know are contrary to what God would have me do? Am I walking by those in need because I am too busy to lend a hand? Am I wasting the gifts He has given me on trivial and selfish pursuits?
What about my life does not demonstrate love to others? Are pride and jealousy obstructing my ability to reflect the love of Christ to those around me? What opportunities to serve am I letting pass by because I’d rather not get involved?
What thoughts am I allowing into my head that do not honor my Lord? Am I dwelling on the beauty of the Creator or lusting after that which has been created? Do I seek to capture every thought or carelessly dwelling on sinful attitudes and ideas?
What have I allowed to get in the way of my relationship with Jesus? Are there things in my life that I know prevent a proper relationship with Him? Have I justified and rationalized things for my own comfort and pleasure at the expense of experiencing intimacy with the One who gave everything for me?
Where am I not being truthful? Whom have I purposefully deceived? Have I been lying to myself? Do I purport to be something that I am not for the sake of building a reputation? Am I walking in the footsteps of Jesus like I promised Him I would? In what areas of my life am I being inconsistent and hypocritical?
These are difficult questions to ask ourselves, and we probably will not like the answers. Taking the time to reflect and examine ourselves in this way will reveal the areas of our life that we need God to burn away the filth of sin. This burning allows Him to refine our character and gives us the ability to fulfill our calling by using our gifts and passions to further the mission of Christ. Burning away all that is not of God will unleash His power in your life. A refined and purified life is unstoppable. It looks like Jesus. It is through people like this that God will bring about His Kingdom on earth.