Australian Bushfires

     Bushfires devastated Australia between 2019 and 2020. Around 42 million acres of land were left scarred. The damage hovered in the vicinity of 1.44 billion dollars. Approximately 3 billion animals were affected by the massive outbreak, over 5,000 homes and businesses were destroyed, and at least 30 people killed. Where can the beauty be in this disaster? Is there anything left in the ruins to give one hope?
    Dotting the charred countryside are a number of plants— the lodgepole pine, a variety of eucalyptus, and members of the genus Banksia— that cannot germinate without the heat of a fire. There is somewhat of a variation in the way germination comes about. Some of the plants contain seeds which can only be freed from the seed coat, it is believed, through a burst of flame. Others are coated in a layer of resin that is melted by the heat of a fire. Thus it is that in spite of the devastation and the bleak, ashy landscape left in the wake of the disaster, new life stirs and hope is restored. All is not lost. A new beginning is born.
    Today we find ourselves in a midst of raging fires. Some of these fires are clearly evidenced the world over: countries in disarray, natural disasters, uncertainty of the future. Others are personal fires, challenging only one's own heart. I wonder, as possibly you do, too, why the fire? How do we make it through? Is there any hope left? Surely the struggles, the overwhelming darkness is too great for us to handle.
    1 Peter 4:12 tells us Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. Not strange? You mean my doubts and fears, my temptations, the bleakness about me is not to be considered strange? I find for myself if I can accept that trials will happen, the storms and fires will rage, I also find a calmness. In acceptance there is a peace which allows me to turn my heart heavenward and trust. 
    As long as I consider the trials I face to be a strange and overwhelming happenstance, I feel panicky, fearful, and as if I ought to be finding a way to fix things. Releasing the fire into the hands of God, I am able to hear the gentle voice telling me fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (1 Chronicles 28:20).
    This is the inspiration that has been settling on my heart for the last several days. I want to learn to trust, to accept that these fires are not strange things, for they have affected the people of God throughout all of history. Instead of fear, I need to grow. I need to learn to turn my steps toward the Father and walk, as the song says, Nearer, My God, to Thee.
    Growing isn't easy. Fire can be painful. But the beauty of submission to God's plan shows up the most as we learn to allow the fires to bring about His perfect will. May we learn to face the fires in our lives with peace as we recognize an opportunity to grow.