Holy Smoke
By Karen D’Amore
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.”
Isaiah 55:8 (RSV)
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. He cried, “God, how could you do this to me?”
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied. –Author Unknown (1)
Discouragement is a common response to our “burning huts.” Billowing smoke consumes our focus, obscuring our ability to see God in the midst of the fire. Suffocating from the weight of the residual smoke, we despairingly shake our fist at God, angered and grieved by feelings of abandonment. As Christ-followers, we must not lose heart, acknowledging that God is always at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, suffering and fiery trials. When circumstances scream with hopelessness, remember, our hope comes from God alone (Psalm 62:5).
“Trustfulness is based on confidence in God whose ways I do not understand.” –Oswald Chambers (2)
The life of a believer is not sealed with a trouble-free guarantee; however, we can trust in the promise that “God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). When it seems as though our life is going up in smoke and that all is lost, God unfolds His plan, teaching us that He had everything under control the entire time.
Is your “burning hut” a chronic illness…joblessness… grief…betrayal…loneliness…? As Christ-followers, we can trust that where there are “burning huts” (fiery trials)…there is “Holy Smoke,” and in God’s way and in His time, He’ll use smoke signals to proclaim His glory!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What’s hindering your ability to see “Holy Smoke” in the midst of your “burning hut”?
2. Is your hope (or lack of it) in your circumstances or in God?
FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 3:5; Psalm 34:15; Isaiah 55:9-13
Married to Dan, Karen is a retired police officer who currently works as a Nail Technician at Craig Berns Salon. She is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.
(1) Story from Skypilot.com
(2) Quote from Wordpress.com
