Good Fire

The other day I read an article on the subject of fire as a natural and essential part of California’s eco systems.  In nature, lightning and volcanic activity started fires.  After a fire, some chaparral plants sprout, grow and spread quickly. Chaparral are a plant community that generally thrive in climates that have mild, wet winters and hot dry summers, (Mediterranean climates.)  Some examples of these plants include Manzanita, scrub oak, as well as some herbs and grasses. There are closed- cone conifers, like Bishop Pine and Sargent Cypress have seed cones that require the heat of a fire to open. The seeds are released into a bed of ash and rich mineral soil. The fire clears the forest of underbrush and opens the forest floor up to sunlight. The result is new grasses, herbs and regenerated shrubs that provide food for many wildlife species. These periodic fires use up the accumulation of fallen branches and debris and supply the soil with nutrients. It also makes any successive fires less intense and destructive because there is less fuel for them.

Humans cause many of the wildfires we hear about in the headline news. Arson, sparks from brush-clearing equipment, or campfires are some of the common causes of these destructive fires. Weather conditions such as drought and wind add to their severity.

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” (Proverbs 22:3)

Our heavenly Father loves us so much that from the creation of man, God gave us the power and gift of choice.  It is true that there are times that He allows our faith to be tested. But, it is also true that often we put ourselves into the fire. In the third chapter of the book of Daniel Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fire because they stood for their faith. In that case the Lord appeared right there in the fire with them and they remained unharmed. In contrast, in Judges chapter 16 God commanded Samson never to his hair, (as a symbol of his Nazirite vow.) If he did; his amazing strength would leave him. We know the story; Delilah enticed Samson and he chose to tell her the source of his strength. His was beaten, captured, and eventually died. Yes, the Lord allowed Samson one more victory. However, God’s plan for Samson was to deliver Israel.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:7)

There is a man in our small group named Jim. Jim has a heart to minister to people who have loved ones with a critical illness. He is one of the first people to church every Sunday morning. He always comes with a great big smile on his face.  Jim places his Bible in his seat, then, spends the rest of the morning meeting and greeting people. Some folks you say, “Well, that’s nice of him.” What they do not know is that Jim’s wife is in a care facility. She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Her mental capacity is that of a three year old. Jim goes to the facility every evening to visit his wife and put her to bed. Jim has chosen to use the trial he is in as a tool to minister to hurting people. Even though his wife is ill Jim has victory from the enemy of disease. He has chosen to not allow it to beat him down. His own heartache is relieved by helping others who hurt like he does.

I have been through the fire a few times in my life. Sometimes it was a test of my faith and I came through stronger for it. Other times I made a really bad choice. Often it was made in haste or out of emotion. I paid dearly for that choice. However, even then all was not lost. God is so merciful and so loving that even bad choices can be used for good.

Are you in the fire today? What was the source? If it was from a wrong choice you made be encouraged that God’s mercy and forgiveness is endless. Seek Him, ask and He will forgive you and guide you on a path back to His plan for your life. If it is an attack on your faith He is there in the middle of it with you. He will not leave you. It is only temporary. Trust Him and you will come through it stronger, wiser, and more equipped to minister to others. But why wait for it to pass? There is someone not far from you that you can be a blessing to today. It may just be a kind word, a simple card in the mail, or a phone call. It does not need to be extravagant. Just get up and do something, anything. When we turn our eyes away from ourselves and to other people and their hurts we will find we our own burdens are lighter.

“Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His Knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)