Thought for the Day - Night worries and finding peace during fire season
The annual fire season has gotten into full swing here in the northwestern United States, then tossing in a fair chunk of Canada burning makes for scary days, writes Rev John Bergen.
Spokane, Washington, is hit hard by an arsonist who intentionally started at least three of the fires that burned out many homes and caused over 60,000 people to evacuate.
The days are hot, the air is dry and even clear skies don’t mean a dry lightning storm won’t pop up out of nowhere.
It is not so bad in the daylight, but the worry in the night is real as we are sleeping and windows open, so the smell of smoke is almost normal.
Lying in bed one wonders, will lightning strike, or will the wind shift? What will we do, where will we go if the wildfire starts close to us?
The darkness of night makes it all seem bigger.
Fire-season here reminds us how fragile life can feel and how uncertainty can make our hearts panic and life seem full of stresses we are not prepared to live out.
So many Bible characters had to find that peace in the night that was bigger than they were.
The psalmist said it this way: “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
Whilst I am not a fatalist by any means I do rest in the Lord’s protection in my times of worry.
Isaiah the prophet was both blessed and suffered in his ministry said this: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:10)
Life is a challenge and we find even if we don’t experience ‘fire season’ that there are things that life puts us through that we need that something more.
Fear and worry are part of our journey, but they are just ‘part’ not the whole.’
I can’t control the fires, the weather or the worries that come. But I can rest in the one who holds me. Fire season brings smoke, and even fear when it comes close to home. But I can rest easy through it all.
What worries you that you need to turn over the fear and worry in your life?
Rev Jon Bergen is pastor of Seeley Lake Baptist Church in Montana, USA.