The Year of the Flames

Fires everywhere, smoke rising, land burning; this seems to be the year of the flame. Our country is an oven. Where there are not fires, the heat is almost just as intense. Our lungs are an ashtray; the smoke from all across our beautiful land finds its resting place in our body.

Smoke stings my eyes, but it does much more. The flames rage on; burning homes and scorching hearts.  Only tears can cleanse my smoke filled eyes; only sweet drops of rain sent by God can heal our land.

It seems to be happening so fast, even though I’m sure it’s been gradually building up. Now the reality is starting to sink in: America’s burning, hay is scarce, and the prayers for rain are turning into desperate wails of hopelessness. Of course, it could be much worse, but the flames are staring to scare me. Questions eat away at my mind: what if this is the start of another growling drought? When will we get a good rain again? What if there is no more hay? What if, what if...?

Fires literally surround me. They are to the west, east, south, and we know the north is next. Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah are in a blaze. When I see a flame, it makes me want to cry. Not so much for me, but for my family and friends who I know it is going to effect.

I can’t help but wonder if this need for rain is symbolizing America’s greater need for living water. Our hearts are just about as dry as the land, and covered in hazy sin. This is a battle not just against the flame, but against the darkness that holds America captive. As Ted Dekker says in his book Red, “Crisis was a strange beast. At times it united. At times it divided.” When we think back on this time, will our thoughts be of this as the turning point to reconciliation of our nation, or will it be known as the down spiral? “United we stand, divided we fall.” Let’s unite together to defeat the flame.