Long ago, in a harsh, darkened world, a late-middle-aged man with an old soul was trying very hard to find a life that made sense. Really? Yes … check out the intro to the story of Abraham: uprooted, fractured dreams, family complexity, and so much personal loss! His ancestors had a future, but he doesn’t! His peers are making their way, but he isn’t! All his loss was the perfect place to notice what God was doing to help him find his way!

photo: Kari Browning, TheBeautifulRevolution.org

That’s what the Fire was all about. The old-soul man saw Fire in a pot, heard words of an astonishing promise, and witnessed the strongest known act of guarantee. He’d only recently begun to walk the path of the unknown God. The Fire gave him enough light and hope to take the “next steps.” (Genesis 15) He found his way into a vibrant “second-half” life far more meaningful than he could have ever imagined.

In a darkened world we need more than light: we need hope, promises, a reason to follow the light.

What would help you to take your next steps toward God, toward a life that makes sense?

Some time later the ancient promise-people had become slaves to the greatest superpower of their time – hopelessly lost. One of their own tried, on his own, to set them free! – no, it didn’t go well. As he whiled away forty years in exile his people cried out for help. God came to him in a bush on Fire – the ancient sign of light in the dark and promises that God would keep. That worn-out freedom-fighter’s first steps toward the Fire led to God’s return to His people – and to their freedom! (Exodus 3)

God rescued the ancient slave people, and led them into a wilderness – a strange new place they’d never been before. They were frightened – it’s all unknown! God reassured them by showing up as a flame of Fire, visible to everyone, with them every night. No matter how challenging the day, at night they could see the Fire of God’s Presence and take comfort: “we’re not alone out here! We’re going somewhere!” They remembered the promises! and they woke up each morning to a new day of hope in their journey toward the Answers. (Exodus 13)

Well, it was a red-letter day! God’s Fire led the people to a mountain, and the God who had saved them came to meet them! Yes, He came in an awesome consuming Fire on the mountain, generating serious awe! – not to destroy everyone, but to give bright light and overwhelming hope. “This is what God is like! We can trust Him! We can follow His ways, and He will guide us into a life that makes sense!” (Exodus 19)

Another red-letter day, many years later! A beautiful complex of buildings finally completed, all to house the Presence of God among His people. Representatives of every family in the nation gathered for the day of dedication. The King prayed for the people, for all the other nations, and called on God to come take up residence. No one knew what to expect – but God came in Fire to keep His promise, to live among the people. Everyone was overwhelmed – God showed up! He keeps His promises! He can be trusted! He will set things right. (2 Chronicles 6, 7)

Long later the same nation was led astray by their leaders. They were seduced by illusions of power, and corrupted by the promise of wealth which never actually trickled down to the common people. They lost their way en masse, and were right on the edge of abandoning God to worship predatory monsters. But God’s faithful spokesman publicly challenged the powers-that-be – and the only One who showed up for the match was God Himself. Once again He came in Fire! but not to destroy everyone. He came to give light, to reassure us that He would be faithful to His promises. Then we will have the courage to take our next steps into a future that only God knows. And the nation was saved once again. (2 Kings 18)

OK, one more: God showed up in person. For 33 years or so He lived here and showed the world what He’s really like. You’d think that people would love it! But the wise people and the power people hated it! Ordinary people didn’t understand. And so humanity dumped our worst possible rejection onto God Himself! But God is bigger than the worst things we can do to Him! He came back, with an invitation stronger than our worst deeds, the hope of deepest reconciliation. By all accounts it was a beautiful summer day, and the Fire’s ancient promises come true! As people worshiped God through their ancient rituals, a mighty Wind blew, and Fire appeared – but differently! This time, not in a pot, not on a bush, not over buildings or altars – but over the heads of 120 people – over a community of people!

That Fire over people continues into our time. You can see it in the lives of people of light, who live in a dark world with true audacity. We see the world as it is. We walk into the midst of suffering, and bring as much relief and healing and hope as we can. We can do that because the Fire’s promise gives us a taste of the world made new and made right, coming soon.

God’s Presence as Fire comes in times of darkness and hopelessness. Its light points us not to power and control and solutions to our problems, but to the One who can lead us out of the dark – into a new world better than we can imagine. That’s what He always did, and that’s what He’s doing now.

The Fire points to brings beautiful promises that give us audacious hope – far more than enough for us to take our next steps. (Acts 2)

What would it be like for you, to see the Fire? What could your life look like if the Fire’s hope lived with you, over you, in people of your world?

Follow the Fire! See a new path, feel the strength of God’s promise. Take up the hope – and take your steps into a future worth living for.

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This article is part of reflections on the imagery of River, Wind, and Fire, and how God is bringing His healing love into the world we see and experience every day. Check out the main article here.

By the way, I originally wrote most of this years ago. Others have recently done some wonderful work on the same topic, following similar lines. Let me commend the Bible Project to you: “Pentecost and the Expected Unexpected Spirit” and “What is Pentecost and Why is it Important?“