Finding God in the fire

What is it about fire that brings us together? Last night, we had 21 friends at our house, and at some point we were all gathered around a large campfire/ small bonfire in my back yard. The air was crisp and cool in a way that surprises you when you first walk out the door, but in which most people won't linger too long without being bundled up. Yet, with a fire going, people are engaged- talking, laughing, singing in a way that wouldn't happen in our living room. Even though it's a very comfortable 68 degrees.

After everyone left last night, I sat around the fire for a while- gazing at the orange embers, stroking the silky cat on my lap, watching the reflection of the dancing toungues of flame reflect off the bright yellow leaves still clinging to the trees, and feeling the deep warmth of the fire coming from the remaining logs. And I thought, the depth of this warmth really represents the way God makes us feel. We're out in the relative cold, and we all gather around this thing- this one thing that is central to our lives and common to all of us, and it defines who we are at that moment. In the back yard, the fire is the one place we can go and warm ourselves, feed ourselves, and find the community we're looking for. In Christ, we have the same ability to do that.

Many of my friends have tried to find community by moving into master-planned neighborhoods with intentionally-scheduled outings, or by joining social clubs, or going to gatherings at bars after work. All of those things are fine and fun, but when the party is over and the bar closes and everyone goes home, you're alone again. But, when the community centers around Christ, the feeling lingers, the embers continue to burn, and you're left with this warm, reassuring feeling that even after the people leave, the community is still there.

I drifted off to sleep last night thinking about how lucky I am to have the friends I have. Smelling of wood smoke.