Wildfires have become more frequent and devastating. Global warming, decreased rainfall and lowering of water tables, increase in population are a few of the reasons. Today there are 30 significant wildfires burning in California, some in the Central Coast.

This is a picture of a charred hill of this years Avila/Shell Beach fire. It looks awfully bleak. But let’s look ahead to the future and visualize the spring flowers and new growth that we know will occur in time. There is an opportunity for a new, beautiful landscape. We saw it this spring just south of Santa Barbara where devastation from their previous fire turned into a beautiful floral garden.

Can we apply this to our lives? Can good things spring forth from being burned out? I have felt burned out recently from overwhelming good demands on my time and energy. I’ve thrown in the towel on some things. I just can’t do it all. I’ve also felt the pain of loss: families struggling to keep afloat with finances, basic needs and even food, and of course illness.

So, I’ve taken some deep breaths and talked to God about it. I sense He’s tired of it also. A lot of things need cleaning up. It’s happening. Ouch! I sense an urgency as never before in my short (that’s debatable) lifetime. The disciples and early spirit-filled people also felt that. But, it’s different now.

The rapidity of change is unprecedented. Instant worldwide communication and connectedness is here. We are reaching for Mars and the stars. Could heaven’s gate be just ahead? I admit my senility and fragility, but I can’t help sharing my thoughts, feelings and the burning desire to be with God’s, and my, family. We will be safe in the fire. We may feel burned out at times, but not burned up.

Spring is coming. Let us spring forth in joy looking forward to the soon second coming of Jesus, the greatest renewal I can imagine. Be well, my friends, safe in the arms of Jesus.

—Larry Smith