Would you make a good contestant on “Naked and Afraid”?

You have to be able to start a fire.

Naked and Afraid is a bizarre yet fascinating show.

Each episode follows the lives of two survivalists who meet for the first time. Once they meet, they must become naked and survive a stay in the wilderness for 21 days. Each survivalist can bring one helpful item, such as a machete or a fire starter. After they meet in the assigned locale, the partners must build a shelter and find water and food.

It would be bad enough being in the wilderness with nothing for 21 days with a stranger, much less naked. It takes away many of the pretenses we walk around with in life.

One of the things essential to their survival is their ability to start a fire.

You won’t even be considered for the reality tv show if you can’t make a fire!

They look for experts in fire starting to choose contestants.

Do you know how to start a fire?

Fire requires:

Enough oxygen to sustain combustion

Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature

Some type of fuel or material that is combustible

Each of us is our little version of “fire.”

Think about it.  Jesus said, “Let your light shine . . .” in its way, light is a “type” of fire, just more refined and channeled/produced differently.

For our lives to function so that we are our best selves, happy, fulfilled, and at peace, we need certain elements to function. And not just physically but mentally as well. (Remember, on Sunday, we talked about our mental acuteness drives everything else. If we are mentally fatigued, that is a recipe for disaster).

We need things to sustain our energy (combustion).

We need igniters that drive us and spark our energy, creativity, determination, and passion.

And we need some type of fuel, something that is going to keep us going. We need to know that what we do matters. That we matter. Fulfillment must be a part of our journey.

When we don’t have these things, we are on the path to burnout. Our light grows dimmer and dimmer as we search for those three elements.

To not burn out, we need to identify and know our elements. And they will be different for everyone.

Today, spend some time pondering your elements.

What brings you energy? What do you do that when you do it, it gives you life?

What drives you? What makes you want to get up in the morning? What makes you want to give your best and keep trying, even when things are hard?

What sustains you? What brings you peace despite not being in peaceful situations?

These are things that will help you maintain your fire!

Grace and Peace,

Andrea

Matthew 11:28-30

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)