FIRE

FIRE

I love fire. It became one of my favourite parts about my summer in California, prepping, building and lighting a fire. The pride of a cavewoman came out in me as I would take on the challenge to build the fire, and then go ahead to cook a full meal for 15 children on that same fire. We would sit around for hours laughing, talking and enjoying Noah’s endless riddles. Does anyone else feel like they could watch a fire for hours? The beautiful colours flickering as this fundamental life source brought heat to our cold bodies.

Fire holds so much power. When being used in its correct way it brings, light, warmth, the chance to heat food and purify water. Yet this same amazing source can bring so much fear and devastation.

Wild fires are a big concern for the hotter parts of America and particularly in the summer just been with the drought that had been happening in California, it had become a big concern at camp. Previous years they had lost a whole section of camp buildings and the surrounding forest to a fire. We spent one of our staff training days prepping for every case scenarios for a wild fire, ranging from ‘we have time to grab our things before possibly needing to leave camp’ to ‘we are surrounded by fire, turn on the sprinklers and lay on the front lawn together.’ Although I wholeheartedly trusted the directors around me the idea of a fire filled me with a lot of fear. Especially when out and about with my own group of kids, seeing fire helicopters fly by or hearing news on the radio of local fires, my walkie-talkie became my life line and I waiting to hear our directors on the other end telling groups to come back immediately for evacuation, It seems crazy that the exact same thing that brought us so much love and unity to camp also could destroy it in the matter of hours.

The same fire that burnt down the forest also cooked our food and kept us warm.

I think our strengths and weakness fall into the same predicament. I know that when used right our strengths are exactly that, they are our strengths, however they can so quickly be flipped and become the very things can damage our characters and relationships. I also believe that our weakness are the very thing that through his grace God uses as our a strength.

I am a bull in a china shop. For those that know me really well I am sure that comment brings smiles to faces as moments are remembered. I fly into life with both feet forward, little reservation and caution, I invest so much of myself. It is the very thing that has gotten me into trouble over the years, diving in too deep, rushing into situations and not allowing God with his patience and timing to take control. However being aware of the damage it can cause helps me realise my strength. It makes me incredibly loyal to the things I am passionate about and It makes me an all or nothing kinda gal. If you have my commitment, you have it fully, no half in half out. Is this making sense? When we know our strengths, fully, for the weakness they can also be, we can be so much more the potential God created us. I have to make a conscious effort to sit back, pray and be patient, to really hear what God is saying in situations rather than rushing in myself. I am sure God laughs at me plenty of times.

Its often a narrow balancing act, but the greatest news in all of this, is that God knows. He gives us our strengths and knows exactly how they can rear their heads as weakness. He also knows our weakness and with his power they become our strengths.

“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10

With Jesus fear can become boldness, my unreserved diving in can becomes faithfulness, my pride to question decisions can becomes understanding and passion. My opinionated brain becomes a heart to seek justice, my lack of faith in myself becomes Gods calling power.

Our sin will become our testimonies, our need to find fulfilment in earthly pleasure can becomes a strong dependancy on Jesus.

When I judge he reminds me I am flawed, when I gossip he reminds me how it feels, when I cant forgive he reminds me of the times when he forgave me and when I mess up he reminds me of his goodness. In all things he brings purpose and glory to his kingdom.

That our weaknesses can be channelled with Christ to become our strengths, and our strengths can remain firmly in the name of Jesus and not become our weakness, to push on towards seeking first his glory and bringing his kingdom to our communities.