The Threat of the Cedar Fire

   When fire broke out in the Sequoia National Forest several days ago, a plume of smoke was carried westward by the wind, passing over Springville, Porterville and many of the neighboring communities. It was a strange feeling to have the sky darkened in the middle of the day with snowflake-like ashes floating to the ground. The temperature even dropped below the triple digit heat which we had been recently experiencing up and down the San Joaquin Valley.

   As the dogs and I walked around the yard late in the afternoon, there was an eerie silence interrupted occasionally by the droning sound of a tanker flying overhead. A brown haze still lingered on the horizon, making the sun turn a bright red as it slipped out of sight. When I went outside to the dog run after dark, the smoke from the fire also gave the moon a strange orange cast. I checked the rim of the foothills behind our house, looking for any sign of the fire and felt very relieved to see only the dark silhouettes of oak trees against the night sky.

   Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for neighboring mountain communities which raised my anxiety level even more. Would there have to be evacuations in Springville too? If so, what would we take besides the dogs and basic necessities?  

   The impact of this fire hit very close to home as it threatened many familiar campgrounds, communities and even Yenis Hante, my old Campfire Girls’ summer camp. Prayers for the residents, firefighters and everyone whose lives were affected by the Cedar Fire were in my heart and mind constantly. In spite of praying, feelings of anxiety, fear and panic kept plaguing me.

   I found comfort and encouragement by reading the account of an amazing experience that Simon Peter had when in a harrowing situation, taken from Matthew 14:22-33 in the New Testament. It happened when Peter and the other eleven disciples were rowing with all of their might against a strong wind, making very little headway as they tried to cross the Sea of Galilee.

   Jesus had stayed behind in order to spend time praying alone. However, from His vantage point, He could see the boat and feel the wind. Sometime before dawn, he stepped into the waves, walking on the stormy sea towards the exhausted men. With the wind tearing at their clothes and water spraying in their faces and washing over the sides of the boat, they saw Him but thought it was a ghost!

   Well, who would have dreamt that the Lord would cross the lake by walking on the water, and in the midst of a storm at that? Even after Jesus called out to them and identified Himself, Peter wasn’t sure. At the Lord’s bidding, he lowered himself down into the water and began walking towards the figure, desperately trying to reach those outstretched arms. Imagine the feeling of walking on top of the waves!

   It was when the wind grabbed his attention away from Jesus, that he began to panic and started to sink. Jesus was close enough to catch him on the way down, just as Peter cried out for help. Soaked, cold and probably exhausted, they climbed up into the boat, perhaps still holding onto each other or maybe given a hand by the other disciples. Then and only then, the wind died down, creating such a sense of awe and wonder in all of the men that they worshipped Jesus, saying “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33 NIV)

   Fears and worries make it difficult to trust Jesus in times of crisis. It is easy to lose sight of Him and focus on the circumstances instead.  However Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, is always present in the good times and in the bad. Will we focus our attention on Him, trust Him completely and allow Him to be the center of our lives? Will we believe His words to the frightened disciples…“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid…” and let Him calm the storm? (Mat. 14:27 NIV)