It Only Takes A Spark

I remember singing a song at church camp (usually around a fire) called “Pass It On.” The first verse says, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.” Of course, as an adult, I realize that starting a fire usually takes more than a spark—a little kindling helps. Maybe even some lighter fluid if you’re not an expert. But the analogy still holds: all big, powerful things start small—with a spark.

This came to mind recently as we launched the Kimray Arts Council—a group dedicated to sparking and sustaining a culture of creativity at Kimray. Our mission is to champion art-related experiences that engage, inspire, and unite our team.

Spark and sustain. That last word—sustain—caught my attention. It’s relatively easy to start something. Anyone who’s ever made a New Year’s resolution knows this. We have good intentions, energy, maybe even a vision of the end goal. That’s the spark.

But sustaining—keeping the fire going long after the initial excitement has worn off—that’s the hard part. Fire is a fascinating thing. It can be life-saving: think of a fire that warms, cooks, and brings people together. It can be life-threatening: think of a wildfire out of control or a blaze sparked by carelessness. It can generate light and heat. It can also consume and destroy.

In that way, fire reminds me of leadership.

Leadership is like building a fire that inspires and motivates—that gives warmth, light, and purpose—without burning people out. It’s the art of creating energy without creating harm. And like fire, leadership requires certain elements to burn bright and steady.

The fuel of leadership is what we do—the work itself, the actions we take, the tasks and projects that move us forward. Fuel is necessary; without it, there is no fire. But not all fuel burns the same.

Some fuels burn hot and fast, but they don’t last. Others provide a steady, enduring source of energy. In leadership, we must choose our fuel wisely. Are we investing in work that matters? Are we building systems and habits that can keep the fire going?

Every fire needs oxygen. For leadership, oxygen is our why. It’s the purpose that breathes life into what we do. Without it, we might have fuel and heat, but the fire suffocates. When we lose sight of why we lead—why we build, serve, and care—our work becomes mechanical, and the fire dims. Purpose gives leadership its vitality.

At Kimray, our why includes honoring the Lord, strengthening families, and stewarding well what we’ve been entrusted with. That’s oxygen to our fire.

And finally, fire needs heat—a spark that ignites the fuel and oxygen into something transformative. In leadership, heat is our sense of urgency. It’s our passion, our determination to act, to move, to make a difference now. Without heat, we might have all the right components, but nothing catches fire.

Starting a fire—sparking an idea, a team, a project—is important. But the real work is tending it.

• We have to guard it from going out when the winds of challenge blow.
• We have to prevent it from flaring up in ways that harm more than help.
• We have to feed it with the right fuel, breathe purpose into it, and keep the flame alive with urgency and care.

As we begin this new journey with the Kimray Arts Council, my prayer is that we won’t just spark creativity—we’ll sustain it—and that our fire won’t be a flash in the pan but a steady glow that warms, inspires, and draws people together. After all, it may only take a spark to get a fire started, but it takes leadership to keep the fire going—the Bison Way.