by Richelle Hecker

Refining our belief through difficulty.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

During the summer of 2013 the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history happened. My children and I watched as the first distant plume of black smoke curled upwards and began to spread across the sky. The Black Forest Fire ultimately burned 14,280 acres and destroyed 489 homes in 9 days.  While our home was not in the path of destruction, a charter school my daughter had attended sat right in the middle of it. Miraculously, although many trees were lost around it, the school did not burn.

Last weekend we attended an alumni picnic at that school. I took this photo while walking the grounds. It’s difficult to understand why some trees burned up while others right next to them were left standing. What I find most impressive are the trees that are charred at the trunk yet still growing and thriving. These trees have demonstrated their strength when tested by fire.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 New International Version

God’s church is tested by fire as well. The gospel of Jesus Christ saves us, but what is taught beyond that also matters. Truth remains strong when tested by fire, while teaching that wanders from the truth is burned up. Perhaps you have wondered why Christians experience difficult circumstances. It’s easy to believe that Christians ought to have a happy easy life. However, many Christians experience difficult trials. God uses hardship to make us stronger, and to burn up false teachings, and misconceptions, about who He is and what He does.

The Black Forest Fire was not fun for people to live through. Our trials are typically not much fun either. Still, we can be thankful that God uses these experiences to refine our understanding of Him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado