Fire. It has been on all our minds very much in the last two weeks.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s we served a multi-point parish in northern Saskatchewan. We were based in Shellbrook, west of Prince Albert. At that time there was forest on three sides of town and we were about 15 kilometers from the North Saskatchewan River. A fire had broken out on the south side of the river and it eventually grew in size and area so that it came right up to the river bank. The fire then jumped the river because of winds blowing embers from the burning crowns onto the north side. This was only 10 kilometers from where we lived. I remember the smoke well as we had to convoy through the area to get to Prince Albert. In a forest fire you see the power of God's creation. It destroys and creates at the same time. Interestingly, the bible says the same thing.
There are some 364 passages in the bible devoted to fire. We see the same creative/destructive combination at work. Contrast, for example, what happens in Acts 2 with what we read in James 3. Now the usual image we have is that from Genesis 19. The contrast of this is Matthew 3 in John the Baptist's prediction. One prevalent image is of fire being of a refining and purifying aspect. The other is utter destruction and elimination of evil. In all cases, fire is an instrument of further things to come. This week we celebrate Jesus ascension into heaven. That is very needful so that fire can show up and fulfill the promise he makes to the disciples in Luke 24 and Matthew 28.
There is also much fire going on right now as we are in the midst of a provincial election. So then, how much fire form the Holy Spirit do you need in your life this day and week? Pr. Scott
