Is there life on Mars?

For generations, we earthlings have conjectured about the possible existence of alien life on the planet next door to us.

I’m afraid this blog can neither confirm nor deny the presence of little green men on Mars.

Scientists do tell us, however, that water once flowed on its surface.

That’s right: the Red Planet was once blue, like Earth.

So why is Mars known today as a dusty, dry, barren place, whereas Earth still has abundant supplies of water?

The key lies in Earth’s magnetic field.

A planet’s magnetic field acts as a shield, protecting its atmosphere from being blown into space by radiation from its star.

Mars once had a magnetic field of its own. But is was both farther from the Sun and smaller than Earth to begin with. Scientists theorize that over time, its molten iron core cooled, and with it the dynamo powering its magnetic field.

As Mars’ magnetic field weakened, the Sun’s solar wind slowly stripped away its atmosphere. The water which once flowed on its surface dried up, until there was nothing left but some empty channels to hint at the rivers which once coursed through them.

Simply put, Mars let its fire burn out.

I think we can learn an important lesson from our planetary neighbour.

We shouldn’t let our fire for God fizzle out.

Even a strong fire, left to itself, will eventually burn out. That’s why the apostle Paul told his protégé Timothy to stir up the inner fire that God gave him at his ordination.

“That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].” (2 Timothy 1:6)

The Greek word used here for “stir up” can mean either to kindle anew or to keep in full flame. The takeaway we can apply to our own lives is that we should do whatever we can to keep our fire for God burning bright, and to keep the gifts He has given us blazing strong in His service.

Otherwise, we can end up like Mars, cold and barren.

If we drift further and further from God, our faith can become dry, lifeless, and unproductive. When we’re apathetic about God, our spiritual walk doesn’t show the protective benefits that come from a close relationship with Him that burns strong and fierce.

So how do we rekindle our fire for God?

Apply the bellows to the embers of your faith by using the gifts God has given you and by serving Him with joy.

Keep adding more kindling: study Scripture, communicate with God in prayer, and fellowship with other believers who will help spur you on.

Pour on the accelerant of being filled with the Holy Spirit and following His guidance.

Pretty soon you’ll have your fire burning at full flame again!

© 2023 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.