THE HEART OF THE FLAMES

My head's spinning a bit. It's been a long day.

I think there's a situation I need to face by leaping right into the fire. It's not me, really, rooting out the heart of the matter like that. I'd rather be an ostrich, or maybe a distant observer hoping that the flames will die down and everything will be alright.

Sometimes though, you can't do that. There's no way around the fire; there's no way to extinguish it either. It burns hot and horrible in front of you, and instinctively you know what you have to do.

You might have heard the tale of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It's an old, old story, from ancient Persia that's recounted in the Bible. The three young men take a principled stand in the face of authority and refuse to stick to the law of the land, worshipping God instead of worshipping the king. The king, furious with rage, throws Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego straight into the furnace to be incinerated.

They knew what was coming to them. They actually chose the fire, knowing that they would be burned alive.

This is not as serious as that. It's just hard. It is true though that sometimes we face situations where we know we might get hurt, rejected, challenged or abandoned. It's not only me either - there are a few people I know who are facing their fires, knowing that there isn't really a way around them.

Sometimes, you have to go right to the heart of the flames to sort it out.

Gulp. I don't know whether I can do that and survive. I don't know whether my friends can do that and make it through. I do know this though:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the furnace alive, and not even smelling of smoke. In fact, the tale tells of a fourth man in the fire, walking around with them. Even in the flames, God was with them. And that gives me courage too. All those times I've prayed and sung about wanting to be wherever He is, and in this, He's right in the heart of the flames where it burns the worst and looks so difficult.

Let's be brave and tackle the fire head-on. After all, He is with us. Go on, I dare you. Jump in.