Through the Fire

[Mark Belosa]

In the Philippines, the month of March is designated as "Fire Prevention Month." This is because this is the start of Summer in the country and throughout history, the month of March has always recorded the most number of fires.

Six years ago - March 10th to be exact, the house I was staying at burned down to ashes. It was one of the turning points of my life and it was the start of a series of "fiery" trials that year. Three months after that fateful day, my father died in a tragic highway accident. Two weeks after his funeral, another close relative of ours died of stroke. It was also that year that I was confronted with a big challenge of not being able to finish my degree course. I was expecting to obtain my diploma by the end of that school year but circumstances pointed to a different direction.

I sought the will of God for my life through much prayer and fasting. I made the decision to work full time for the church, not knowing what the future has in store for me. It was a year of dramatic changes - so dramatic and stressful that I lost so much weight. It was a great chapter in my book, forever sealed in my heart.

Fast forward...

Today is so much different. My life has not been what I've dreamed and hoped it to be. I have become a different person now. I am filled with regret over many wrong decisions, sins commited, lost opportunities and much wasted time. Sometimes I feel like I want to start all over again. I've gone through cycles of personal defeat and loss. My heart has turned lukewarm. I hate to admit it but the passion that once burned within me seems to have been lost.

I want to cry my heart out at the feet of The Master. I want to touch the hem of his garment. I want to linger in His presence, hear His tender words. I want Him to wrap His arms of love and forgiveness around me, to strengthen my faith and restore the joy of my salvation. I need the fire of His Spirit. Revival! Revival!

I am humbling myself before God...

I see the light of hope glimmering...

"Alpha and Omega"
"The beginning and the end."

Faithful.
The "I Am."
Eternal.
Word aflame.

I fix my eyes on Jesus now. The same God that saw me through the fire yesterday is the same God who is calling me today. There is a race I have to run. Today, I am making a decision to fight until the end. I am assured of His promise. I know whom I have believed. And I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have commited unto Him against that day.

His strength is everlasting... I will wait. (Isaiah 40:31)