"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust
in him"
(Nahum 1:7 NIV)

I love the power of God seen through His creation and I love being able to go
out and spend time in those places that make you feel closer to God because of
the beauty you see He has created.

At the moment we are experiencing the worst fires seen in Australia, possibly
ever, and our television screens are full of pictures of the absolute desolation
of areas where in some cases, whole towns have been wiped out.

Isn't it true that the power of God's creation is also seen in the power of such
devastating fires. As harsh as that sounds for the many people who have lost
homes, friends and family members, it is true. God created all that we see and
experience in our world.

Fire is mentioned in the Bible in over 400 references. God spoke to Moses from
a burning bush; the Israelites followed a pillar of fire through the wilderness;
and often the voice of the Lord came out of the fire. There was Elijah who
called on God to send fire to defeat the prophets of Baal, or we are warned of
terrible fires before the Second Coming. God used fire in many ways.

It may be difficult to see how God can be a part of the pictures we are seeing
right now, but just as we need to trust that God does know what he's doing, in
the midst of the difficulties of living with chronic illness, so we need to
trust that He knows what He is doing in the fires that are ravishing our land.

We have seen some amazing stories of people offering help, supplies, or funds to
assist those who have lost much this last week. The outpouring of support and
care and prayers of many people, all over the world, reminds us we are part of a
community – even for those of us who are away from the worst hit areas.

God called His people to live in community and to show care and support to each
other. Maybe we see and experience it so much more in times of crisis.




Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia and is grateful for all that God is
teaching her through her journey with chronic pain.