Wall of Fire

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 69: Today, I am grateful for a wall of fire.

"Come on Baby, light my fire." -The Doors
"I fell into a burning ring of fire." - Johnny Cash
"I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love." -Elvis
"You better light a fire under it." - Kenny Lindgren (Dad speak for hurry up.)

Fire is fascinating. 

It's power is extraordinary. It can protect. It can destroy bad things... and good. It can be a mighty aide or the enemy. Fire has many personalities, it seems. Without, life would die... but in a great paradox, it can so easily kill. 

A fire can used to describe the heat of new love... or the sweetness of an "old flame". 

Dad loved fire. Burning road ditches was a itch he had to scratch. The same man who would not plant a seed if there was any fear the ground was still not fit, did not use the same discretion when it came to burning road ditches. 

With the eagerness of a little boy... Dad would announce, "I need to burn road ditches." As Matt became an adult, he would question and even say, "Dad, I wouldn't do it. It's too windy." Dad's reply, "It'll be fine." and off he went. 

It was fine. A fine time... until, it was out of control. 

 It kept the volunteer fire departments a chance to use their training. Mom would call Jennifer to tell her not to worry, the fire trucks were on their way. Everyday life west of Clifton was never dull. 

There is a reason firefighters go to fire school and study. Fire tends to behave in certain ways. but it is unpredictable, too. Understanding its power and pattern can save lives. 

There is a scripture from Zechariah that caught my eye. 

I am, by no means, a great scholar when it comes to prophecy, but I found this verse this morning. Zechariah offers this promise from God for those who call him Lord:

 “‘For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” -God, Zechariah 2:5

Prophecy can have different layers of meaning and can be for "then and in the future". The Israelites, at this time, had to place to call "home" No city with a temple and a wall of protection around them. God was offering to "be their wall of protection" and the "glory in their midst".

They knew of Moses and the burning bush. God can be in the fire... just as he can be in the whisper of the wind. We simply have to look for him. 

I love the idea of a "wall of fire" when I feel unprotected. 

We can "be still and know I AM God." 

Today, I am grateful for a wall of fire.