Fire!

Ron Writes

It has been terrifying to watch the fires in California. They were unstoppable! Uncontrollable!  Unextinguishable! They consumed everything in their path. Destruction on an unimaginable scale. The pain of loss. Beyond the billions of dollars in property turned to ashes was the emotional damage of losing homes, cherished memories and items that are beyond monetary value. Communities, neighbors and families that know and love one another have been separated and scattered.

Then there was the helplessness. What could anyone do? If all the reservoirs were filled. If there was an innumerable army of firefighters. If they knew in advance this was all going to happen. Would that have made a difference?

Can what took decades to build be restored? Is it hopeless? Will it ever be the same? Is it unrealistic to think it could ever be made whole? Is it insane to entertain even the slightest thought that it can be brought back better?

The physical and emotional toll of fire.

Fire is used in many literal and figurative ways in the Bible. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). Fire is often used to describe the presence of God, from the burning bush in Exodus to the tongues of fire on Pentecost in Acts. Our powerful transformation by God is described as fire purifying precious metals. The earth will be destroyed by fire. Hell is pictured as fire. Our tongue is described as impossible to control and as destructive as fire. Our passions are often described as fire. We want to be on fire for God. Fire is powerful. It purifies, destroys and brings judgement. Fire is essential to our lives. It’s needed for cooking, heating, purifying and light. It’s needed and feared. Its power conveys many deep spiritual truths. Yet, all the warmth, light and purity of heaven will be provided not by fire – but by God!