Spark

Spark: How often do we underestimate the power of a single spark? It takes only one struck match to start a blazing fire. One encouraging word might renew fading hope. One act of kindness can shift a hardened heart. One truthful conversation might plant the seed of salvation. One phone call at just the right moment could prevent tragedy and despair. One prayer lifted up in sincere faith unleashes heavenly power. One decision to surrender your life fully ignites a radical transformation. And like a glowing ember fanned into a flame, a divine spark, though it may seem insignificant at the time, can blaze into a sweeping move of God that changes everything. Here are a few examples of historical sparks that impacted the world.

The Azusa Street Revival stands as a testament to the monumental impact of a single holy spark. In 1906, led by William J. Seymour, a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit was birthed in an old warehouse on Azusa Street in Los Angeles. What began as a small prayer meeting grew into an earth-shaking move of God marked by Spirit-filled preaching, miraculous healings, and believers speaking in tongues. This spark ignited a fire that could not be contained. The revival went on to influence millions as the message spread worldwide. Out of this movement came many prominent Spirit-led evangelists and the emergence of the Spirit-filled movement. Azusa Street stands as a striking example of how one divine spark, fanned into flame through obedience, can ignite awakenings on a global scale.

In Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, we read about believers like Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who refused to deny Christ even unto death. His steadfast faith sparked many witnesses to embrace the Gospel. We learn of Felicitas and Perpetua, two young women martyred for their faith, whose testimony led crowds to Christ. Their courage sparked a flame in the hearts of believers. Their commitment unto death ignited a sharing of the Gospel that transformed Roman culture. Their sacrifice is a poignant reminder that one small but potent spark can illuminate generations.

Corrie ten Boom: When Corrie ten Boom and her family chose to hide Jews from Nazi persecution during WWII, they were igniting a spark of courageous faith. This bold stand ultimately led to Corrie and her sister Betsie being sent to the infamous Ravensbrück concentration camp, where Betsie died. Though facing unimaginable hardship, Corrie continued shining the light of the Lord, even showing Christ’s grace to an SS guard years later. After her miraculous release due to a clerical error, she went on to travel the globe as an inspiring speaker, calling many to follow Jesus. Her unwavering perseverance through horrific trials sparked a wave of faith in God’s goodness that rippled worldwide. Corrie’s life shines as a testament that even the darkest circumstances cannot extinguish the fire when a heart is truly ignited for Christ.

Martin Luther: When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg in 1517, he was igniting a spark that would blaze into the Protestant Reformation. At first merely hoping to spur reform within the Catholic church, Luther’s action instead helped fan the flames of a radical revolution. His criticisms of church corruption and affirmation of Scripture as the supreme authority sparked a wildfire. Luther’s translation of the Bible into German allowed common people to read God’s Word. Despite fierce opposition and persecution, he continued fanning the sparks of reform. In time, profound revival swept Europe, and much of the church was forever changed.

David Livingstone: The fiery spark motivating David Livingstone’s missionary expeditions into Africa ignited a movement that transformed nations. Driven by zeal to explore unreached areas and put an end to the horrors of the slave trade, Livingstone spent 30 years trekking across Africa spreading the Gospel. Through the knowledge he gained of Africa’s geography and cultures, it ultimately led others to carry on the gospel throughout the continent. Livingstone’s publicizing of the atrocities of slavery incited abolitionist efforts. His impassioned spark and pioneering work opened Africa to receive the light of Christ.

Moravian Missionaries: When a small group of Moravian Brethren attended a chapel service on August 13, 1727 in Herrnhut, Germany, they could not have imagined the global missionary blaze their obedient spark would ignite. So profound was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that these believers covenanted to spread the Gospel wherever God called them. Within 30 years, over 300 Moravians had entered global missions. Their gospel witness impacted nations from the Arctic to Africa and even among slaves in the West Indies. By 1900, the Moravians had established mission outposts in 20 countries across the globe. The Moravian missionary zeal stands as a shining example of the far-reaching impact one faithful spark can have when fanned into flame.

Marj Saint: When spark moments occur, it is vital we steward them well. Consider missionary Nate Saint, who was martyred in Ecuador along with four other men. This tragedy could have extinguished the work. Yet Nate’s wife, Marj, chose to fan the spark her husband began. She returned to Ecuador and continued reaching out to the very people who took Nate’s life. Marj devoted her life to translating the Bible into the Waodani language. God used this perseverance to bring revival among the Waodani people. Out of ashes, the spark of the Gospel was fanned into a flame. When we encounter difficulties and setbacks, let us hold on to the original spark. God will use faithfulness in the hard times to resurrect His purposes.

Sparks Will Fly: God’s call often comes as a quiet spark needing to be fanned into a flame through obedience. Are you attentively listening for His whispers? Do not disregard those divine prompts, casual conversations, or providential encounters. They may be sparks with world-changing potential. Tune your spiritual ears to hear every murmur of the Holy Spirit. Invest time in reading the Word and in prayer. Then you will be ready to act when sparks come. God has great plans for you. Believe it and be ready for it. Sow into people’s lives as you might spark something inside of them. Be a light and put your trust in Him.