Home Again, Home Again. . .

Three Sisters Wilderness ( look in North Central Oregon) is one of the more beautiful places on Earth – marred in some places by fire. As I hiked through the Pole Creek Burn (affecting over 25,000 acres) this past week, I was reminded of the power of fire, the ugliness which can come from such a useful tool. I tried to learn on this trip – multiple thing in several areas of life. I succeeded.

I was reminded of what damage a “tongue set on fire by hell” can bring into the life of a Church. (See James 3:1-12)

I was reminded that life is a journey, and many times it is not a “freeway,” but, rather, an uphill slog where sometimes the progress is “two steps forward and one step back.”

I was reminded that we are creatures of comfort. We’re not good at sleeping on the ground when we have spent all of our lives in comfortable beds. Which helps us to remember that the role of Believers does not include “flowery beds of ease.” (See the Hymn “Am I A Soldier of the Cross” by Isaac Watts)

I was reminded that a victorious end of the journey requires much hard work, discipline, and a commitment to task. There will be no greater joy than to hear the Father say, “well done, good and faithful slave.” (See Matthew 14:25ff)

A few days in the wilderness can teach and/or remind an individual of much Truth, if only we would listen, hear, understand, and accept.