I think it is safe to say that not many people go to Leviticus for songwriting inspiration, but I never was typical! This song was inspired by a sermon I once heard that was teaching on the beginning of Leviticus 10. It's a dark account in which two sons of Arron bring a sacrifice to God the wrong way and die. At first blush it may seem like this is an arbitrary consequence for something that shouldn't matter, but as always there is something deeper going on.
If you read the account of the worship event at the end of chapter 9 that Nadab and Abihu were trying to recreate, it was obviously spectacular. You get a sense that they were very impressed, but by the experience, not by God. Were they offering the "unauthorized" fire for worship of God, or to experience the awesome display of power again? Worship is our response to God to honor him, not a chance to feel goosebumps and get holy shivers running down our spines.
As a worship leader I know this trap well. How many times have I had some awesome experience when a song just clicked and everyone "felt" the worship in a special and strong way? It can be easy to try and recreate that moment and get in that same "zone" again, but that's not what worship is about and it's the wrong focus. Those experience can be awesome and they are not bad, but we MUST check our motives: why are we making the choices that we do? Is it about God or about us? Because when it's about us, we aren't worshiping God- we are seeking our own glory, and that is the worst thing we can be doing.
Over the last few decades there's been a lot of noise about whether "rock" type instruments are appropriate in worship. Obviously I'm all for it, but there is a caution: if all we are doing is putting in a concert in a popular style, we are bringing unauthorized fire. We need to be VERY careful, because such hearts are not honoring to God.
Returning to the end of chapter 9, what is the proper response to God in worship? The worshipers were very impressed with the experience, but their response was one of humility and reverence- they "shouted and fell on their faces". This is not the picture of people casually or selfishly encountering God. Let our attitude of worship be more like them and less like the brothers consumed by strange fire.
On my way to meet you can't shake this feeling that I have inside
A coldness that is burning, a fire that refuses to give light
Such a strange emotion– I feel so out of place
Like looking in the mirror and finding someone else's face
I pause for a moment and realize somewhere I must have strayed
Am I headed where I thought I was or ami only going my own way
The gifts that I brought for you seem so much more for me
The things that I meant for you are nowhere to be seen
There's a strange fire burning and it's tearing up my soul
How did I let it get this far, how could I lose control?
This isn't what you asked for, this flame that I let loose
Save me from this burning sin, Lord bring me back to you
I need your help to get back close to you
I'm falling in my face now– desperate to find your way again
The burning if my glory is all around me, I have no defense
But all is not lost– I'm losing faith in me
Jesus my savior, bring me to your feet
There's a strange fire burning and it's tearing up my soul
How did I let it get this far, how could I lose control?
This isn't what you asked for, this flame that I let loose
Save me from this burning sin, Lord bring me back to you
I need your help to get back close to you
There's a strong fire burning, it's healing my wounded soul
You have brought me back so far, I do not want control
I feel your warmth around me, oh fire that consumes
Let righteousness burn in me, Lord draw me close to you
Draw me close to you
I only want get back close to you