Dear Friends,
The light and warmth of a fire can be comforting during chilly weather. The logs that are burning are surrounded by a boundary of stones. Sit near this fire with me, a mug with a hot drink is on the log next to you. Imagine holding a stick with marshmallows near the fire until the marshmallows are toasty brown on the outside and yummy, sticky on the inside. Sit near and stay warm and safe and listen to the fire crackle.
Fire can be a friend or a foe or a mixture of both depending on the circumstances. A forest fire is often destructive but can also be viewed as necessary in nature. Fire changes a log to ash which contains life giving nutrients necessary for plant growth. Trees that survive fire become stronger to be able to face future fires. The plants that survive receive more light because of the plants that were destroyed. The extreme heat of a forest fire opens the cones of a sand pine so that the forest is reseeded. These are the trees "born of the fire".
When we have faith that has withstood fire or difficulties we can grow in our faith like the trees "born of the fire". The searing heat and the flames that could cause harm can be used by God for our good. There are so many lessons in the world God created for us. My prayer is that we can see these lessons to be able to be a light to those around us.
1 Peter 1: 6-7
"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must 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."
Beautifully worded!!
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