As I was driving into work yesterday afternoon, I spotted heavy smoke across the horizon a mile ahead of me. My concern for the origin of it quickly disappeared when I realized that the smoke was coming from the Forest Preserve. It was a controlled fire to burn away the old grasses and shrubbery to make way for next Spring’s new shoots and mature stalks. The smoke was crossing the highway and the smell of it came into the car, even with all the windows rolled up. The smell was comforting. It was very familiar.
“And the king commanded his most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. The three men were bound in their coats, and their hats and all their garments; and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”
God’s children know all about fiery furnaces. The Lilies have been burned down many times. The herd of Dumbo sheep have had to find new places to graze each time their feeding grasses are scorched. The eagles fly above the heat and smoke and make new nests, higher where the air is pure and fresh.
“The furnace was so exceedingly hot that the flame of the fire killed those men that cast Shadrach, Messhach and Abednego into the furnace. The three men fell down, bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. . . the king was astonished and said to those around him, ‘Didn’t we cast three men, bound with ropes into the midst of the fire?’ They answered, Yes, O king it is true.’ The king said, ‘I see four men loose, no longer bound by the ropes, walking around and unhurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’
The Refiner of gold turns the heat up and stirs the liquid, knowing the dross will rise to the top. Never too hot, though always hot enough. He scoops up the impurities, those elements of the gold that detract from its worth and beauty. He watches over the process with love and compassion. He never leaves the smelting pot. . .and its never more than the little flock can bare. “I will never leave you or forsake you. . .or without a way out.”
“And the king went near the mouth of the furnace and said to the three men “Come out and come over here.’ And all the princes, governors and the king’s counselors gathered together and were amazed at the three men whose bodies the fire had no power over, nor was a hair on their head singed, neither were their coats burned, nor was the smell of fire on them. Only the ropes that bound them were destroyed by the fire.”
Back in 1980, there was a huge forest fire burning me down. My life was ending. There was no hope for survival. . .my mind was filled only with thoughts of fear and despair. And from the ashes within my soul, came these words, “But now, this is what the Lord says, ‘He who created you, he who formed you, he has called you by His name. You are His. When you walk through the waters of trouble, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers of impossibilities and you are sinking, you will not drown. And when you walk through the fires of trials, you will not be burned. The flames will not set you on fire.” Only the ropes that bind you will be gone.
I know that when the Spring comes, the Forest Preserve will be lush with grasses and bushes. . .and the trees will be full of fruit. The Lilies will thrive and their Fragrance will be more intoxicating than ever. The Dumbo sheep will be back, flying to the the sound of the words of the Shepherd. The eagles will be nesting again and soaring above, over the Rainbow. . .filled with it’s Colors. . .and full of it’s Love. Free Love. Freely given.
A Good Moment 