Wildfire!!!!

We've seen them in the news, read about how horrible they can be, and may have even been affected by them, but wildfires seem to have a place in God's creation, just like everything else. Seems as if He created wildfires just the same as others to accomplish many important ecological functions.

I didn't know this, but wildfires actually reduce hazardous fuels that accumulate in areas, much like the way oil surfaces on pavement, which creates hazardous driving conditions in rains. Wildfires come through, burning off the dangerous and potentially hazardous fuels and toxins that collect on trees, brush, ground cover and other areas where the stagnant fuel can become quite harmful to the wellbeing of wildlife and growth of the area.

This next one happens semi-frequently in my neck of the "woods," farmers will take advantage of "wildfires" that kill off the old dry, often times dead, vegetation in our area to prepare the ground for new, vibrant, "lively" growth that EVERYTIME produces a bigger, healthier crop the next season. Some people even burn off their yards so a greener, much more pleasant yard will replace the crackly hard brown dying grass that previously existed. It is a fact that burning promotes seed germination, flowering, and generally improves growth in wildlife.
Wildfires can also change the composition and density of existing vegetation. In pasture and range lands, wildfire reduces encroachment of shrubs and invasive exotic weeds; something farmers and ranchers can definitely live without!

Wildfires are even known to control different pest problems: needle disease on long leaf pine seedlings; bark beetles in infested trees that are cut and piled; root rot fungi; spittle bugs in pastures; and ticks and red bugs (chiggers). Wildfires seem to take care of a lot of pesky things that seem to eat away at growth and regeneration.

They also help to improve access to forestry by reducing dead fuels, harvest residues, and dense ground shrubs, wildfires can increase: openings for tree planting or natural regeneration; visibility within a stand for recreation or hunting; openings for wildlife feeding, travel, and display; access for hiking and other recreational activities. It keeps everything open for all to see what God has created for us to take part and to enjoy.

*Insert Spiritual application here* It's too easy! It takes a wildfire every once in awhile to take care of all the dry brush growing at the bottom of the church, trying to pull others down; to burn off all that would like to grow up and choke out growth in our church; to clear a path for new babes in Christ, for new and fresh vision, and to eliminate pesky attitudes that spring their ugly head every once in awhile.

If I have my choice(and I do), let me be a WILDFIRE, not dry brush; and Lord, let me burn in spite of the wet blankets out there that may think I'm unruly; because if I'm on fire, one things for certain, I'll ALWAYS be doing something!! A fire can't be still and it looks from my "studies" that it is constantly helping to further God's plan. Hmmmm.... just me thinkin' again.

-approved by Farley Wells, CMDI who just burned his toast.