Have you ever seen a sunset when there is smoke in the air?
There seem to be a lot of forest fires this time of year and sometimes smoke just hangs in the valley, making visibility and
breathing more difficult. But, oh, the sunsets! There's nothing like it!
A friend mentioned hearing a report on why forest fires are such a problem.
Because of poor forest management, including not allowing smaller fires to thin out some areas, the trees are now growing
very large and dense; few new plants and undergrowth are able to live. Not only that, but when a fire does
get started, with so much fuel available, it burns extremely hot, sometimes sterilizing the ground and stripping
away important minerals.
As I marveled at a gorgeous sunset through the haze and thought about all this,
the Spirit reminded me of the effect of fire in our spiritual lives. Hebrews 12:29 states that our God is
a consuming fire, and I Corinthians 3:13 reminds us that all we do will be tested with fire - revealing whether
it be gold, silver, and precious stones or wood, hay, and stubble.
With great love and care, God longs to burn up those things in our lives that are
old, dry, and empty - those things that keep new growth from ocurring. We can submit to His wisdom, knowing that
what is pure and eternal will not be consumed. Or we can quench His fire when it gets too warm - letting our 'forest'
grow up around us.
There is such a beauty and realm of color derived from fire and smoke that common
sunsets lack. And there is an uncommon beauty in people who submit to the fire of God. Sometimes those
around them can't put a finger on it, but there is something - a fragrance of offering, a new depth of color - that
is pleasing even to the Creator of the universe.
Fire will come, that's inevitable. But will it be a flame unto beauty,
or of intense distruction? Trust His love. Trust His wisdom. His fire burns but for a time, guided by His
hand, and leaves His glory as the jewel in the ashes.
Amy
