Fire can be so destructive. One of the very first lessons I taught my sons when they were learning to walk was to not touch the stove or oven. I would repeat the word "hot" as I guided them away from this appliance that, if touched while in use, would cause pain, a possible burn, and a frazzled mom. I taught them very early on that we should stay a safe distance from fire and be extremely cautious around one. Undoubtedly, we all learned this growing up. Fire is dangerous, fire is hot, fire can cause damage and pain. For the most part, this is the absolute truth.
This summer I traveled to California. I checked off several things I wanted to do, among them visiting the majestic redwoods. I cannot adequately describe the beauty of these trees, many of them hundreds of years old. I was in awe as I walked through the quiet, still forest, taking in the beauty of these towering trunks. My eyes kept looking up, searching for the tops of what seemed like never ending bark, branches, and leaves. I felt so small as I hiked through this peaceful landscape.
Many of the trees had lots of scarring from what appeared to be burn marks. Burn scarring indicates fire activity, and I was curious. I was standing in acres of trees; why were there burn marks on these redwoods, and how was it possible that the forest was still intact after a fire?
After speaking to a park ranger, I learned that "prescribed burns" were conducted periodically to benefit the long-term health of the trees. These forest fires were conducted in a controlled setting, with supervision from professionals there to make sure it doesn't get out of control. Fire clears the duff-decaying leaves and branches covering the forest floor- which prevents redwood seeds from reaching the mineral soil. The fires serve to destroy the bacteria and fungi that can kill the seeds before they have a chance to germinate. The debris turns to ash, the fire recycles nutrients and enhances the wildlife forage. Fire, something so seemingly destructive and dangerous, is actually a very important part of the redwood ecosystem. Without these fires, there would be very little new growth, and the overall health of the forest would be in jeopardy.
Somewhere along the way, I learned that all trials, suffering, and "fiery moments" in my life were bad and destructive. I avoided pain and suffering at all cost and did not take any risks that could potentially lead to less than ideal circumstances. The pain of these moments blinded me from seeing the good that could come from clearing the duff of my soul.
Perhaps some fires in our lives are not by happenstance, but are meant to clear the debris that is preventing new growth in our lives. Sometimes new, healthy growth means something within us must die.
"He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."
John 15:2
Surrender to the fire burning within. Feel the burn. Great things are ahead.
"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 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."
I Peter 1:6-7
