Presence of Fire Changes Everything
A few years ago, on a cold snowy night in the mountains of Northern California, my friends and I worked for hours to get a fire started. Everything was wet and we were cold and tired. Somehow, by the grace of God, we got it started. It changed everything about our experience that evening. Complaining turned to rejoicing, shivering turned to comfort, and our work turned into rest. We stayed awake into the wee hours of the morning enjoying conversation, laughter, even tears, and prayer. If you are anything like me, these moments are one of the most enjoyable parts of being in the wilderness. It just fills your heart with warmth and joy just to think about that precious time around a campfire, those warm cups of coffee in the morning, or the steaming pot of chili-mac at the end of the day. Those moments are almost always filled with conversation, stories, and laughter, as we draw close to each other around the presence of such warmth and sustenance. All this is made possible with fire. These are just a few reasons why making sure you have some form of reliable ignition source is so important in your kit of wilderness essentials. Here are a few more considerations and thoughts as you pack your bags.
- Always bring spare igniters. I usually keep one small lighter in my waterproof repair kit at all times.
- Many wilderness areas have regulations on stoves, campfires, and burning. Make sure that you are aware of these rules and follow all the guidelines for your destination. Some wilderness lands may even have different rules for various designated areas, so do your homework.
- One of the most common injuries in the backcountry is burns. Have good safety protocols around stoves and campfires.
- Be sure to follow good Leave No Trace practices when it comes to fires, if they are allowed. If you are not sure what these are, here is a good link. https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/minimize-campfire-impacts/
- Lastly, make sure that your ignition sources and stoves are all in good working order before you head out.
Mesmerizing Effect of Flames
As I was sitting around that fire with my friends, I found myself mesmerized and fixated on the flames, as it is so easy to do. I was looking at them and beyond them at the same time. It is hard to put that experience into words, but I am confident you know what I mean. My mind
was drawn to the scriptures and I kept thinking about all the moments where the presence of the LORD was described as fire. The burning bush, fire on Sinai, pillar of fire in the tabernacle, and the tongues of fire of the day of Pentecost, all of them pointing to the powerful presence of the LORD. I was overwhelmed with how many characteristics of fire match that of the Holy Spirit; it’s powerful and awe-inspiring. It refines, consumes, and transforms. It lights the way, gives security, and even humbles you.
When the Holy Spirit Burns in Us, it Draws Our Gaze to the Father
Then as I looked around the fire, I noticed something more. The fire was in our midst, burning at the center of our lives. It had brought us together, comforted us, inclined our hearts toward each other and towards our Father. How true is that of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives? When the Spirit is at work in us, it always inclines us toward the Father just like John says in John 14.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. – John 14:26”
RELATED POST: Campfire Questions for Summer Camp & Family Campouts
Take Action
So, next time you are sitting around a fire with friends or lighting a stove on a backpacking trip, take a few moments to enter into the presence of the LORD and pray through these questions.
- How can I be more aware of your presence LORD?
- Draw my attention to the scriptures on how your Holy Spirit moves in me and others.
- Guide me to share with those around me about the truths of your Spirit.
