Prescribed Burn

My eyes burn, my throat is scratchy, I’m tired, I feel physically worn out, I can tell my body is not very happy with the environment I’m in…

1 mile down from our home the forest service has been doing prescribed burns of areas of the forest in an attempt to decrease the chance of wildfire this summer.  I think the concept of a controlled wildfire to keep us from future destruction is very pertinent in our lives.  The process of sanctification can at times be like a prescribed burn.(including the burning, tearing eyes, lump in the throat, a little weary, just plain uncomfortable)

 ~A prescribed burn is fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to forest fuels on a specific land area under selected weather conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined management objectives. 

God allows Trials:

John 16:33  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  

We have these trials applied to our life in a knowledgeable manner, under specific conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined management objectives:  To produce perseverance, character, and hope.  Without trials, we would be on a path to destruction straight to a life without the God of all Creation.  We would not learn to persevere but we would give up easily.  We would not be women of character because there would be no depth.  We would have no hope because we wouldn’t even know we needed hope.

 Rom 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

~Prescribed fire is much more affordable with much less risk to the habitat and destruction of site and soil quality. 

1 Peter 1:7 “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.” 

Just as the prescribed burns in the forest, our trials will ultimately be much more affordable with much less risk and destruction from an eternal perspective.  Without trials our faith is not tested.  Without trials our lives are not refined.  Ultimately, without trials we would not know our need for a Savior.  We would not turn to the Resurrected One, King who soon shall come.  Our trials give God a chance to reach us, a chance for Him to give us what we need to praise Him, what we need to Glorify and Honor Him.  What we need, what the whole world needs.  The One and Only Living God, who died and three days later conquered death!  To live!  To bring LIFE to us all!  The prescribed burn in your life is there for a reason, to bring YOU to HIMSELF!  Without it an uncontrollable wildfire will set in and TOTAL destruction will be found on your doorstep.  With it you will have hope in the fire to come…you will have the key to conquering death…ETERNAL LIFE…you will have the saving grace of Jesus!  It seems bad now, burning in your eyes, smoke blocking your view, tired, a feeling like you want to run as far away as possible…but remember GOD wins, join His team and YOU win too, you win now, you win forever!