Months ago, travelling on our very familiar Ortega Highway I was shocked at the view before me. Burn, burn and more burn. All the way up the mountain exposing rocks and blackened land everywhere.
I followed the information about the burn and imagined in my head what it must look like. Thankful that no one was injured and that only a few structures were effected so perhaps that is why I had no idea the real devastation. The complex weave of black earth was shocking.
Each time I would take the drive over the past weeks I would look for signs of regrowth, new life and a healing land. Yesterday, I saw it . . . a glimpse of hope, small green sprigs poking through the base of the bushes. Such a stark contrast of color and so beautiful.
In the midst of devastation - life.
The U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire and Riverside County fire, thank you for your fearless fight to keep us safe.
Thankful today that God's love is not like the ravaging fire that burns with the way the wind blows but like a refiner's fire. He refines us to make us stronger . . . check out John Piper's devotional on God's Refining Fire and be encouraged. Though things around us look destroyed at times, there is HOPE in Him.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/he-is-like-a-refiners-fire
