Fire

I awoke Tuesday morning to heavy smoke creeping up the hills and laying in the valley to the Southeast of my farm home. I had heard on Monday evening that there was a fire just a few miles (5 or 6 at best) South of Sanctuary (the name of my farm), but the wind was blowing South. Overnight the wind direction had changed, and the smoke was readily apparent.

180 fires have erupted in the past week across Texas, marking one of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in state history. The fires have destroyed more than 1,000 homes, caused four deaths and pulled the state’s firefighting ranks to the limit. . . . (Associated Press)

It’s a scary deal, actually. Sometimes the fire moves so fast it overruns the best efforts to slow its progress.

I can not help but think about the over-running progress of the fires of Hell in the life of people I know; men and women who refuse to hear the Gospel, recognize their enmity with God, and find justification (grace) in a sovereign Savior. The Scripture is clear – there is a “lake of fire” and it burns unceasingly for those who refuse to repent and be “born again.” That particular message is no longer welcome in the life of the Church and often found missing in the proclamation of Truth. But. . .smoke is creeping up the hills and laying in the valleys at the edge of our sight. Just beyond there is surely fire.