A few weeks ago in South Africa fires raged over the mountains near the valley where Oceans Retreat Center resides. The fire ate up thousands of acres of mountain foliage and forests-thankfully no lives were lost. For the last few years during this time of year, the end of fall and the vegetation is dry from limited rain fall,  fires have raged all around the valley.

A year or so ago after a massive fire had caused destruction, I was hiking on a mountain near the Retreat Center and to my amazement saws signs of new life were already springing up from the sandy soil. Beneath the charred and dead tress small shoots of green grass  were sprouting. After the fire and harsh rain of winter, it was utterly amazing to observe wild flowers and tidbits of foliage breaking forth over the once scorched area turning it into a spectacular natural garden.

Creation mirrors our Creator God and how He works spiritually within our hearts. Just as a wild fire can burn across a mountain consuming everything in it path, yet in time a new season of healthy, strong and vibrant growth breaks forth displaying the glory of our Creator God. So too in our hearts we wait for Him to work anew in ways we could have never imaged.

In the Biblical calendar we’ve just walked through the Resurrection season and are heading into the Spiritual season of Heavenly Fire called Pentecost. This is when Jesus promised His followers that the Third person of the Trinity would come down and fill the Father’s children up with a Holy Fire that would bring new life anew within them and ultimately spill over to the ends of the earth.

I love this spiritual season because it testifies to the Goodness of God’s amazing Grace through the work of His Spirit. As I look back on my life’s journey it was the Fire of the Spirit of God that opened my eyes to the gift of Salvation. I would have never encountered the love of the Father through the work of Christ if the Spirit did not open my eyes to see and receive the gift.

And my life would be powerless without the continual gift of the Holy Spirit that fills the weakest of vessels with Heavens love and strength to walk forward in faith and testify to His amazing grace.

During the 50 days from Resurrection to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; I’m reminded it is Fire Season. A time for me to praise God for the powerful work of the Holy Spirit given because of what Christ’s death and resurrection. It is a time to be reminded of how much daily need the Holy Spirit in my life. A time to acknowledge my weakness and absolute dependance on the Fire from heaven to burn away my sin and fill me with the Spirit of Jesus to live through me for the Father’s glory.

Jesus told His disciples:

“Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised, ‘For John baptized you in water, but in a few day from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 1:4-5).

We need the Fire to fill us again and again. During this Fire Season don’t hesitate to daily ask for a fresh filling of the Spirit of Christ.

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion;  instead be filled continually with the Holy Spirit and your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord!” (Ephesians 5:18-19)