FIDDLING IN THE FLAMES

SELAH!

(A Christian’s Reflections)

February 27, 2026.

With

Samuel Sampson

On

Fiddling In the Flames🔥

(The Sin of Neglect)

"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."—Ephesians 5:14

In our last reflection, we refuted the "mega mentality" that now prevail and called for the believer's rest in the master's commendation. More so, we admired the peace of Hudson Taylor, who could hum a hymn of rest even while his mission houses were under attack. 

However, there is a dangerous side to "resting," namely, the subtle deception that often creeps into the heart of the "resting" saint: the temptation to use "God's sovereignty" as a veil for our own spiritual slothfulness. For always, "The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets."—Proverbs 26:13.

While Hudson Taylor rested because he had been faithful, many saints are sadly resting today even while their responsibilities burn.

Selah!

Emperor Nero is a figure in history who also rested in difficult times; but for a wrong reason.

Tradition tells us that in the year A.D. 64, as the Great Fire of Rome consumed the city—destroying homes, temples, and lives—Emperor Nero was on the roof of his palace, dressed in theatrical robes, "fiddling" (playing his lyre) and mindlessly singing.

Here was a man with the mandate to protect, to lead, and to quench the flames; instead, choosinh a detachment— "resting" while his responsibility  burn.

How often do we "fiddle" with our hobbies, our comfort, and our "waiting on the Lord" while the very work God placed in our hands withers?

Today, this same "Nero Spirit" have invaded many homes and churches.

 — There are fathers who are cheering away at their football clubs, while the "devil" devours their household.

 — There are mothers drowning in endless soap operas and social media scrolls, while the fire of the family altar slowly goes out.

 —There are youths glued to their phone screens, chasing digital trends, while the strength of their purpose and the purity of their minds are being eroded.

—They are preachers who have gone so cold that the spiritual life of the church freezes away for lack of the true bread.

O how often we fiddle with distractions while our "Rome"—our families, our calling, and our future—is on fire.

Selah!

Why was Nero so comfortable fiddling while the people suffered? He knew he had the Christians to blame for the fire.

We have become experts at the same game. 

— Pastors blame the "spirit of the age" or the lack of giving for the coldness in the pews.

 — Fathers blame the failing economy and the government for the disorder in their homes.

 — Mothers blame the "bad influence" of the school or the internet for the rebellion of their children.

 — Youths blame their upbringing or "toxic environments" for their lack of spirituality.

But the truth is, while we are busy blaming others, the fire burns on. We are not called to be critics of the fire; but to be stewards of the flame.

Of the truth, the Christian walk can be a delicate rope-walk where any tilt too far toward "busy-ness"can get us building "Mega" vanities that God never commissioned; and any tilt too far toward "ease" can get us mistaking a life of neglect for the "resting life." The scriptures admonishes: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."—Proverbs 3:5-6

Selah!

May we be delivered from the spirit of Nero, and may we receive the grace to be alert, active, and faithful until the very end.

Witnesses:

Isaiah 9:8-17, Proverbs 24:30-34, Hebrews 12:12-24.

A Selah piece 2026