Burning the yard today I stood enthralled by the flames thinking about how symbolic they are of my life this year. The burning hot flames blaze across the ground seeming to destroy everything they reach. As the smoke dissipates it slowly becomes visible that among the black, charred grass there are small patches of green grass and trees that stayed alive during the fire and have been left to keep growing amidst the death that surrounds.
This image reminds me of my life; the world can take a toll on me, it can seem like there is death and darkness all around me. In fact, even God may bring me to a point where it feels like everything in my life is being burnt to the ground – but then the fire stops and the smoke clears and what’s left are these shoots of new life sprouting up all around. A sign that hope isn’t lost; new life begins and will continue to grow, develop and rejuvenate my life in all the barren spots that previously existed.
“Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain and I can’t control, I want more of you.”
That’s the song that came to mind as I watched the fire burn and that’s my prayer for this year.
I pray that God sets that fire in my soul which cannot be controlled.
A fire that continues to ignite a passion for life, love and to see His lost found.
A fire that wipes out the weeds and strongholds that try to take over my life and allows for God to replace them with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I want more of Him.
I pray that I see myself rely on Him more and more each day. That I have more trust in His plans for me and more faith in His big picture that I cannot see. 
