This devotional was inspired by the devastating forest fire at Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.
Sometimes, God is like a forest fire in how He manages His church. To
us, a forest fire is intensely destructive because it consumes hectares
of forest. It destroys property and damages the economy, and that's
particularly why it is so catastrophic. We primarily consider the loss
to ourselves. But a forest fire does not destroy forests -- it revives
them! It cleans the forest floor of debris, opening it up to sunlight
and new growth. It removes thick shrubs which take up the water, so the
water supply is restored. A forest fire kills disease and insects which
harm trees. The burnt vegetation replenishes the soil with nutrients.
Some species require the heat to open their cones and release their
seeds. Fire is so vital that forest managers use prescribed or
controlled burning to reduce hazards and renew the forest.
"Change is important to a healthy forest," ecologists assure us.
"Without fire, the trees and plants would eventually succumb to old age
with no new generations to carry on their legacy."
That's also
true for the church, Christ's body of followers scattered around the
world. Its legacy is preserved through fire -- God's refining fire. But
who can endure it? Who can stand through His fire? Such questions imply
trials and losses, perhaps loss of privilege, possessions, institutional
fixings, and membership -- and much more through persecution. God's
refining fire consumes the "dead wood" and thick "underbrush" -- whatever
is not authentic, what we coddle even if it blocks the Light, prevents
new growth, and consumes our resources.
God's refining fire may
seem intensely destructive; little is left. But it does not destroy the
church. It revives it, like a forest fire revives a forest. Out of the
ashes, there arises new, healthy growth, and the church thrives again
with vibrant faith, purified as silver and gold.
Jesus promised
to build His church, which would never succumb to the forces of death.
Its existence has been preserved through the enduring love of God, Who
remains forever faithful to His ancient covenant promise. The fires that
He permits are never wildfires, but prescribed fires always under His
control. As for us, we learn to persevere through the power of His Holy
Spirit and an unshakable assurance that nothing can ever separate us
from the love of God.
Prayer: Lord, teach us to value Your
refining fire in our personal lives and also in the life of Your church
through the ages. Help us to regard trials and losses as Your means of
refining our faith, that it may be proven genuine when You return,
resulting in glory and honour to Your name. Amen.
Diane Eaton Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to
PresbyCan Daily Devotional
