Consuming Fire - Part 1 - Mercy

When I met Him, I knew my life would never be the same.
I knew that I was unworthy of the gift being offered to me.
I knew I was a selfish monster of a human.
But still He held out His hand.
A hand made out of living fire.
Something inside me screamed in rage, in hate, in fear.
The same something that had been lying to me, telling me I was warm, I had no need for fire.
But I knew just how cold I was.
And the artificial warmth did not satisfy my need.
This fire was different. Alive.
I reached out with my spirit. Touched it.
I burned.
Something inside me screamed and died.
Tears flowed freely down my cheeks for days.
I was in such pain, but at the same time I was being freed.
There I was.
I was unworthy. But I was given clothing washed in supernatural blood - declaring me worthy.
I was dirty. But the fire burned it away until I was like a newborn child.
Loved. Saved.
Shown mercy. I was shown mercy.
I did not deserve what I received - a fresh start.
I did not deserve new life.
The fire had surrounded me, gone inside me, but did not truly harm me.
I was whole. Complete.
Before I was a shell with extra: garbage that clung to me and was me.
It was burned away.
It killed me and healed me all at once
I was a new creature.
The innocence I had lost was restored.
I deserved to die, but what I received instead was a miracle.
And though the road ahead would be long and difficult, I was ready.
Though I would stumble and wander away, looking back at who I once was and longing for it, I would return to the path.
Because of Him, could I follow Him.
Because He was merciful, I seek His fire.
The mysterious Consuming Fire.