There are so many fires happening all over the Inland Northwest. There are people who have lost their homes, others who have been evacuated but they don’t know the outcome of their homes yet, and there are still others that have stayed and are doing what they can to save their homes.
This fire danger is so real. I know the other morning we had a short lightning and thunderstorm and I was praying! We are so dry that one strike and a fire would start.
I remember as spring was coming in and we were getting so much rain, we were grateful. The last three years with the fire dangers and actually having to haul water, we were thankful for the rain. But now that we have had the longest and hottest period of time in years, we are still dry.
When I heard about some friends that were in fire danger and finally told to evacuate, it made me start to think. They have chosen not to evacuate at this time but to prepare their house and property as much as possible to protect it. They have just been rebuilding slowly from a few years after having a house fire caused by a wood stove.
My thoughts have started to collect in my mind what I would take with me if I had to evacuate. There are things that are not replaceable, like family photos, the money you may have stashed away. There is also all the important documents, like the marriage license, which I don’t even know where mine is, titles, etc. Right now every thing is scattered here and there and it makes you start to realize how important it is to have things gathered in areas easy to grab.
Then I started to think about how this relates to our Christian walk. I think a lot of times we get so caught up in everyday life that we forget that there is a “fire” coming and it is getting closer. We need to be thinking about the things that are most important to save.
The one and most important thing that we can take with us when we leave this earth when Jesus comes is our character. If we are hanging onto any worldly things our character will not be in the right place to grab and at that point, it will be too late. Our characters need to be in the right place not scattered here and there. We need to have a single mind toward God.
There are other things that are precious that we want to save from the “fire”. We want to save our families. The best way to do it is by our example. How urgent are we?
If we were in the situation my friend is in right now would we be just sitting in our house not paying any attention to what is happening around us or would we be doing everything we could to protect our house? Our family would feel our urgency if we worked urgently. But if we were being lazy they would probably not feel the urgency. The same is true of our spiritual urgency. How urgent are we about the times in which we live? Where is our focus? If we want to save our families our focus needs to change from the world and its wickedness and problems to keeping our focus where it should be. Our focus should be on Heavenly things.
Here are some things that I am working on to implement into my life. Our life should be a life of joy, not negativity.
- Keep your eyes focused heavenward. There are so many things going on in this world that can discourage us if we focus on them. We can even live in fear. The best place to keep our focus is on heavenly things. Let’s keep our eyes on the genuine Jesus Christ, that is the only way we are going to be ready.
- Remember, God, forgives. This is so amazing! It doesn’t matter what we have done and how wicked we may have been God will forgive us. He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place so that we can go to heaven and be with Him.
- Contemplate His love for you. We have already talked about His forgiveness, which is amazing. It is good to write down all the things that He does for us that show how much He loves us. Just the fact that we got up this morning is a miracle. Our bodies run by Him. He gives us the breath of life, etc.
- Spend time with this amazing God every day. Make sure to spend time in God’s Word each day. Memorize scripture that can stick with you throughout the day. And spend much time in prayer.
As we dwell upon these things and keep the right focus, people will be drawn to the love of God. Love draws. Fear of consequences can draw but not save. Being drawn by love can save.
I believe that God is waiting for a people who will perfectly reflect His character (love) and then He will come to take us home. How are we going to perfectly reflect His character as long as our focus is on the things of this world? Whether we are doing worldly things or we are talking about the bad of this world and dwelling upon it, it leads to destruction, either of your life or the life of someone around you. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” There is nothing else we need to focus on.
Dear Father,
Help us to realize the love that You have for us. Continue to draw us to Your love. Forgive our stubborn hearts, the hearts that want to dwell on the things of this world. We can tend toward sensationalism. Something new and exciting to report about the wickedness or the happenings of this world and it becomes the topics of our life. You need to be our topic. As we focus on You, people will want what we have. Forgive us for focusing on the wrong things and help us to live our lives in full connection with You. Thank You for Your love.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Keep your focus on Jesus and heavenly things. Talk of heaven and what it will be like. Talk of the love of Jesus and what He has done for you. Then your life will be filled with joy. And you will be preparing your “house” against the “fire” that is coming.
Love you all.
What do you do to help keep your focus heavenward?