Fire

If you were born during the 1960's and even the 1970's you are able to remember a few songs that incorporated the word "fire" in it.  From the Door's Light My Fire, The Ohio Players Fire, James Taylor Fire and Rain, to Springsteen's I'm on Fire, and more recently Alicia Keys' hit This Girl is on Fire. These songs primarily detail the passions that people have for one another in some sense. Other songs deal with themes of fire such as one of my favorites, The Talking Heads Burning Down the House.  All great songs I might say and  I'm sure I could compose a playlist of plenty more. But is this fire good?

Fire for those of us living in the Western United States conjures up images of large scale destruction, forests going up in walls of flames, people hurriedly fleeing the approaching inferno, and massive mobilization of resources. And once the blaze is contained and eventually put out blackened hillsides and skeletons of structures are shown on the news as well as interviews with those who lost most of their possessions.

Let us take a look at what happens with the wildfire. Much of what is burned is old growth whether it be trees or brush. Some of the fires themsevles are actually termed firestorms as the heat and wind that is produced by them is beyond comprehension. After the fire the landscape may seem dead, but what is actually happening is a rebirth albeit slow.  Those people that are affected by the tragic loss of life and possessions find a way to carry on.  Eventually the hillsides are filled with fresh vegetation and slowly but surely seedlings can reappear on parched hillsides.

Jesus says to his disciples; "I have come to set the earth on fire." His passion for saving the world can only be describe as all consuming. He uses language that can be disturbing for many as households will be divided as well as families.  My take on this is that he actually us to discard all things that prevent us from being in union with him. Attachments to worldly possessions,  and even people bring a dependency that is unhealthy. Thus we are deterred from the fulfilling God's purpose for us.  That zeal  that we read about in the saints and those that serve the Lord with passion is the Holy Spirit that can be kindled in each of us.  We can be as those fires which begin as a small spark and be transformed.  People who speak of spiritual awakenings can relate to this as they have learned that they must dispose of all unnecessary attachments and truly depend on God for sustenance and life. As with the once charred hillside that suddenly burst with verdant grass,  a new life begins.  Yes, fire can be good.