As I write, it has been less than a week since wild fires raged
through several parts of Oklahoma. Extremely dry conditions
and wind gusts over 60 mph set the stage for disaster,
and disaster sure enough took the stage.
Like many other families in the Choctaw and Midwest City
area, we alternated watching news reports on television concerning
the fire’s progress with calling to check on friends
and neighbors and packing up what belongings we could.
Weather forecasters were predicting a change in the wind
direction that would likely bring the flames our way.
It was surreal. We watched live broadcasts of fire coming
right up to the edge of our high school’s football stadium,
and saw houses we could recognize engulfed in flame. The
smell of smoke was everywhere, and when evening fell, the
fires continued, their eerie glow rising up from the ground in
the distance. Wild fires know no time of day.
In the air, helicopter pilots were battling the high winds to
maintain control of their aircraft so that the reporters on
board could keep us informed. On the ground, veritable armies
of firefighters and police were battling the flames,
evacuating those in danger and cordoning off areas that were
in the most imminent danger.
The Red Cross came on the scene, setting up shelters where
those fleeing the dangers could take refuge. Churches also
opened their doors to provide places for the displaced. A
local gas-stop put out a sign that advertised “free coffee” to
help keep the weary on their feet.
Fire has an indiscriminate nature. It will burn whatever it comes in contact with that
has the fuel-like qualities fire requires. No matter if the “fuel” is an old frame house
or a brand new palatial mansion. Fire doesn’t care how much you stand to lose or
whether you have insurance to help sustain your loss. Fire consumes.
This fire came without warning. Though forecasters on radio and television, and
weather maps on the internet keep us informed as to approaching storms and severe
weather, no one could tell us that this fire was coming and that it would move across
the countryside as fast as the wind would fan it along, leaving disaster in its path.
As horrible as it was, this was just a “little fire”. There will be another fire; a real one;
the last one. Paul wrote that Jesus would one day be revealed from heaven with His
mighty angels, dealing out fiery retribution to those who do not know God and who
have not obeyed the gospel, 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-8.
Have you obeyed Jesus’ gospel? He is the only insurance that will sustain you when
the real fire comes.
Marty Kessler