Finally, we have arrived…not only to the day on the calendar when a much needed vacation begins, but to the destination. It’s a day later than planned but my own exhaustion dictated that we not go any further on the winding, mountain roads last night so Days Inn beaconed and we responded. After a good night’s rest the trip on in to Fairfield Bay, AR was enjoyable and beautiful.
One of the highlights we remembered from our last visit here was the nightly fire. Oh, it isn’t like home where wood logs are used and a roaring fire can be built. We’re limited to Duraflame but it still makes for a nice atmosphere and takes the chill out of the air. Our supply of wood unloaded, dinner in the oven, and the football game in process, I decided it was time. Keith placed the log and opened the flue, then asked the all-important question…”Did you bring the matches?” Of course I did! I think I did…let me dig through my purse…ah, there’s a book…old and tattered, but they look like they might still work. And work they did! The log took flame and began to light up the fireplace hearth.
But wait…I see something moving…uh-oh…wasps. They must have decided to winter in the chimney! Now all I could imagine is that they were all slowly waking up! How many of them might there be? “Keith, do you have your car keys in your pocket?” He looked at me questioningly and replied “No!” I was planning our getaway to the office and wanted to make sure we didn’t get stuck outside in the cool night. I called the office and they calmly assured me they would send “the man with the spray” over right away. In the meantime…the wasps keep coming.
The “man with the spray arrived”…he killed the one we hadn’t gotten so far and left the spray saying “it’s not to be used indoors so don’t use too much!” Over the evening Keith has killed six disturbed wasps. They seem to come in small groups. Oops…I just heard another bang of the fireplace shovel, our weapon of choice, as Keith assumedly gets number seven.
Isn’t that just like a fire? Stirring things up? As I’ve retreated to my designated “closet” for the week (for safety!) my mind goes to the spiritual lessons that can be learned from tonight’s experience. Anytime the fire of the Holy Spirit comes on the scene one can expect some “stingers” will appear. As with our wasp, these must be put to death. When the fire of God arrives it will drive out attitudes, concepts, practices, and maybe even beliefs that need to be conquered in order for the fire to be truly and totally enjoyed.
What are some of these “stingers?” Maybe it’s an idea like “we’ve never done it this way before” or a practice of gossip. Could it be that we misunderstand the tears and emotions that come when a sentimental song is sung in worship as God’s manifest Presence when really the words just tug on our heart strings for human, earthly reasons? We need to realize that experiencing God’s manifest Presence is life changing and requires sacrifice on our part. It requires our staying close to His fire despite the “stingers.”
Waiting prayer will bring fire. God honors those who wait on Him. I’ve spent a lot of time in Isaiah the past 18 months. Isaiah 40:31 is well known. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Hope is another word for wait…many versions say “those who wait on the Lord.” I want to wait and hope, and experience God’s Presence. I don’t want a good feeling that lasts a little longer than a song. I want His Presence every moment of my life, despite the “stingers” that come along to try to disrupt the flow. I noticed that it was not the fire that the wasps threatened!!!
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