Fiery Trials

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1

This past summer’s forest fires have been some of the worst of this century.  Thousands of acres of forest have been destroyed along with hundreds of homes. Firefighters from all parts of the country have been brought in along with the National Guard and other military personnel to try to bring these fires under control. In some places, the fires will simply have to be left to burn themselves out.

A few years ago, in Southwestern Colorado, similar infernos were sweeping across the Mesa Verde National Park.  This park is the home of the Anasazi cliff dwellings which date back to between AD 600 and 1300.  While the fires and the efforts to extinguish them were a threat to the preservation of these dwellings they also had an unintended positive consequence.

As the fires moved across the park, they burned away thick brush and trees and exposed yet undiscovered archaeological treasures.  Cliff dwellings that had remained hidden were discovered and marked for later research as a result of the devastating fires.

The fires of Mesa Verde have something in common with the trials we experience in life.  We would rather not go through the fire.  But the fiery trials that have the potential to do so much damage, can also reveal hidden treasures of the heart that lie undiscovered, sometimes even to ourselves.  The greatest demonstrations of courage, love, faith, kindness, and compassion arise out of the ashes of human suffering and tragedy.

So as you walk through the fire remember the words of Peter: “The genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Trust the God who walks with you in the furnace of affliction to burn away that which hides the beautiful qualities of Christ and to reveal His character in you.