Life Through the Lens: We all need a prescribed burn sometimes

This post was contributed by Kevin Schrapel, and is the author’s personal opinion.

Our daughter and CFS member, Nicoli, was half out the door.

“Where are you going?”

“To help with a prescribed burn.”

“Okay.”

According to the Department for Environment and Water, prescribed burning is the planned use of fire in a particular area of landscape.

The aim is to reduce fine fuel hazards, manage native vegetation and protect biodiversity in strategic areas of South Australia’s parks and reserves, improving biodiversity.

Put simply, prescribed burning gets rid of stuff that could cause problems for the area in the future and can also clear areas so that what should grow there can.

I’m pretty sure we could all do with some prescribed burning in our lives.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) or, put another way, we all have garbage in our lives that is dangerous to us and stops us from living close to God, the way he wishes us to.

How do I get rid of the garbage that can stop me from feeling close to the love of God?

You can’t.

Some life-trash may have built up over a long time.

Some of it might be just starting to collect.

Are you beginning to build a pile of anger toward someone?

Maybe there is a little pile of “I just can’t believe there is a God who cares about me”.

Ever feel the heap of daily drudge piling up that separates you from any joy in your life?

The scrub has no hope of starting a fire to rid itself of all that threatening undergrowth.

God’s word reminds us we can do nothing ourselves – check John 15:5.

We all need a prescribed burn.

In the Bible, Jesus promises to clean up our lives and help us grow new lives: “If anyone lives trusting the saving and renewing love of Jesus, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

While the picture looks horrific and out of control, the CFS people had it entirely under control.

Sometimes life may feel awful and out of control, but God promises he is in control.

Talk to Jesus about the dangerous thoughts or actions that might be building up in your life.

Be prepared for him to start something, but remember he only ever acts in love.

God bless.

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