Fire Fighting
There was a glow in the distance where the active part of the fire was burning, but it was low and settled down for the night.
Could I be any more miserable? It was dark. It was cold. The fire was mostly out. I was on the night shift and we were checking for “hot spots” to two chains in from the fireline. (We wanted to make a border about 132 feet wide around the controlled part of the fire). I crept along, bent over, one glove off feeling the burnt landscape searching for stump holes, down trees, and duff. We had to find anything that might preserve embers until morning when the winds would start.
My crew was trying to insure no live embers would spot over into an unburned area. We were too far apart to visit. When someone found a hot spot he or she would turn it over again and again with a shovel and squirt a little water on it from a bladder pump. Then they would turn it over and over again mixing it with dry dirt. Water was in short supply. We were dry mopping as the cheery firefighter at Guard School had explained.
My Chapstick was missing. It must have fallen out of my pocket. My lips were on fire. Every step I took caused ash to float up into my eyes and mouth. Of course it irritated them.
All of this was reminding me of something. . . . Dear Lord, I asked, It this what Hell is like? I thought of the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man in Luke 16: 20-25. The Rich Man was in Hell. He was alone, in the dark and he was thirsty. His condition was permanent. I know when morning comes the day shift will relieve me and my condition will improve.
John 6: 40 states:
“For my Fathers will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have Eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from Hell. Thank you for paying the price for me to live Eternally with you.
It was a joyous morning when the day shift arrived. They brought water, juice, a hearty breakfast, and gallons of coffee. We were filthy, exhausted and ready for rest. The drivers invited us into the crew vehicles made sure we were as comfortable as possible and carried us home.
Dear Lord, I am longing for that day when you will carry me home to be with you forever.
