When the smoke clears.....

We've had major forrest fires in So Oregon.  Most caused by lightning strikes.  The smoke is not expected to clear for weeks as it looks now. 

What WILL it look like - when the smoke clears?

Have you ever been in a season where you knew that God was working deep, and strong inside the core of who you are - but you can't really see what He's up to? 

 You just know that something is happening... 

 You are aware of the circumstances that are providing this opportunity of change...

You know that it's in His control, not yours...

In the past you've even prayed that He would clean away the stuff that keeps His image from being seen clearly in your life....

Holy fire...

The Native Americans used to set fires on purpose to burn away low growth and slash, that if allowed to stay in the forest would be fuel that would eventually cause extreme damage to the forrest.

That forrest management style meant that trees grew tall and strong with deep roots

We aren't of that opinion these days, so many of our forrest fires have devasting results.

I honestly believe that God knows how to 'manage' the forrest of my heart.  Sometimes that means that there's some stuff in there that needs to get burned out, removed.  It might not look that bad to me, but if God can see down the road - (and He can!) - and He sees the filler bush and slash (dead wood) from the past as being ultimately dangerous to my heart - 

then-

Holy Fire come.  

I am in a Holy Fire season.  I am counting on seeing new growth, and the stability of stronger roots  - - - when the smoke clears. 

"They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. 
 It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. 
 It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to  bear fruit."  Jer. 17:8