After the Fire: A Lesson from the Redwoods

 

It’s fire season where I live in Colorado. Our state often suffers from less-than-average snowfall so the land in very dry.  

Most likely you heard about the Black Forest Fire last year, or the devastating Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 that moved stealthily over the foothills and into our city (see photo). Most everyone in Colorado Springs can tell you exactly where they were when the news of that first devastating fire destroyed hundreds of homes and business in the northwest part of town.   

Fire can be devastating. And after it’s over, the landscape shows some trees that are completely destroyed while others are left standing—yet these once flourishing trees bear the markings of the disaster by their missing or charred limbs. 

It makes me wonder how the giant redwood trees in California have lasted for almost 2000 years.  We know that California’s had their share of forest fires, so how are those giant trees still standing?  

Recently, a friend told me about the redwood’s unique ability to withstand fire. First, their branches are about 100 feet and higher so the fire cannot reach them. Most importantly, these enormous trees do not have a certain flammable resin on their bark like most other types of trees.  That factor makes them mostly fireproof. 

If a fire is very hot, however, flames will burn into the trunk. But the tree immediately begins to repair the damage. After the fire, the tree grows a thicker bark around that area to cover over the burned portion.

Like these grand, tall trees, we need protection to keep us from “burning up” emotionally when the fires of anger, criticism, fear or doubt surround us.  

The evil one shoots his arrows (of lies and deception) at us and, if we are not protected, we will be hurt. We can become more protected as we put on the full armor of God and live in His presence and protection. Ephesians 6 in the Bible’s New Testament explains: 

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17, NIV).

We need God’s protection against the rampant lies and half-truths in our culture that seek to destroy marriages, tear apart families and keep people shackled to discouragement and hopelessness. As we read the truth and seek to live it out, we get stronger on the inside. We have more joy. 

We need God’s strength in us to live godly lives with courage in a world that depends more on self and less on the One who created us and loves us most.  

God never said life would be easy, but He said that He would be with us. That’s a relief.  

With God’s power and his close presence we can rest in His protection.

 

 

 

Jackie M. Johnson is an author, freelance writer and book publishing consultant in Colorado. Previously, she worked at the premiere literary agency, Alive Communications, and the CBA-publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Visit her website.

 

 

Update on Black Forest Fire: Colorado Springs

Good news! The Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, Colorado is nearly out!

We are now at 75% containment (and it's been burning for nearly a week). The good news: 3,615 homes saved. The bad news: 483 homes totally destroyed and 2 fatalities. 4,100 people remain evacuated from their homes.

Please pray for the fire to cease totally. For rain. For the safety and protection of firefighters. For those who have lost everything...for peace, comfort and provision to begin anew.

Thanks for your prayers!

PRAY FOR COLORADO: Wildfires Raging

 

 

Less than a year ago our city battled the largest wildfire in Colorado history.

 

Today, as numerous wildfires are raging in our state (at the Royal Gorge, LaVeta, Black Forest and other areas), we ask for prayer.  

The blaze closest to Colorado Springs is the Black Forest fire. So far it has burned more than 8,000 acres in one day and is 0% contained. That means it is burning out of control.  

Hundreds of firefighters, police, National Guard and others are helping to battle flames in the 90+ degree heat.  

Thousands have been evacuated statewide and nearly 100 homes have been lost in the Black Forest fire—only miles from my home.  

Today, the air is hazy and you can smell the smoke for miles. It smells like campfire, residual from the blaze still being battled.  

Thankfully, Colorado Springs is a community that rallies to help each other. I was at Care and Share foodbank today dropping of boxes of energy bars (for firefighters on the front lines) and the line of cars went on for BLOCKS…so many people willing to help!

 

 

Will you pray for the Colorado fires burning nearby? 

For rain to come and the high winds to die down  

For the fires to be contained and stop (they predict it will burn for days) 

For the many people who have evacuated—for comfort in their loss of homes and properties—and for food and shelter in their time of need right now.  

For the police, firefighters, National Guard, Army and other first responders to be safe and to have the energy and strength to battle this blaze.    

For people, property and pets to be safe. 

 

Lord, we need you. Come and heal our land—and the people of our city affected by the fires. We ask believing! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Click for live updates on the Colorado wildfires from The Gazette

Photo credit (fire): Huffington Post; Photo credit (cars): Jackie Johnson