Faith Rest in Action -Did Someone Say Fire?
Because of one phone call to a friend who lives in Georgia, my sister got a craving for catfish. That was all it took to send my three sisters and me to a local southern cafe to feed our roots on soul food, complete with hush puppies, greens, and barbeque. We passed on the alligator basket and frog legs. Our southern roots aren’t that deep! We were enjoying lunch, until my sister received a text from a friend that said…
“Is your sister (me) being evacuated from the fire by her house?'“
Fire? What fire? I immediately called my husband, who always answers the phone. No answer. My mind imagined him outside fighting a fire to save our house. So, I called my neighbor. No answer. Ok, my neighbor must be fighting the fire with my husband and neither had time to answer the phone! So, I called my neighbor’s wife. She answered. The ten-acre fire was miles away and under control. Back to barbeque.
When you live in the rural high desert, fire is a concern once the hot, dry summer starts. Especially if, like us, your home is surrounded by dry grass and brush, in essence…kindling.
I admit, on occasion I poke my head out the back door and skim the hills for smoke. We’ve taken every precaution possible, including fire extinguishers in every room and a dedicated fire hose. We’ve cleared weeds beyond the recommended 30-foot circumference, and have our “go bags” ready in the cars. All we can do is our best to prepare for the worst, then leave the rest in God’s hands.
That’s Faith Rest.
But, when I heard the word’s fire, and evacuate, I panicked (just a little) when I couldn’t reach my husband, who just happened to be taking a nap. My reaction was normal, but God desires us to mature to where we can nap, just like Daniel when he faced a den of hungry lions. Did Daniel kick and scream as he was tossed into the den? No. How is that possible?
It’s possible when we understand, like Daniel, that God will never allow anything bad to happen to us, unless he means it for our good or His glory. Even when our good is not always what we want (like a house fire) but Scripture tells us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him…including things that bring us pain and sorrow.
Only after I spoke to my neighbor, was I able to enjoy the rest of my meal. If I had not reached her, I would have worried until I reached my husband. But what would worrying accomplish? Even if I left my sisters and raced home, would that have made a difference?
Instead, I should have prayed and trusted that God had the situation under control. God is always in control, even when we aren’t. As believers, God offers us His peace in all situations, through Faith Rest. In my case, I didn’t choose His peace, I chose to react. God was testing me. Sure, it wasn’t a major fail, but I failed the test none the less.
With each test, we learn something new, and in that test I learned that I still have more growing to do. Will we ever fully trust God in ALL situations? That is totally up to us. It’s a grace gift that God has given all believers. We simply need to choose it.
I know that God is there for me in every trial and has provided a way to overcome any situation. Remember the Mormon Crickets? He wants to make us stronger and transform our thinking to the mind of Christ. The only way to do that is through trials and testing. With each new test, we learn and grow. And the only real failed test is the one we ignore.
May God bless you with His peace.
