The benefits of wisdom and knowledge will exceed your wildest imagination

“A litmus test for how much you value and believe the Word of God is how much you prize and seek after obtaining godly wisdom.”  Pastor Brian Hillsong, from www.Hillsong.com collected blog.

This true story illustrates a way to relate to the Lord, and to find the wisdom and knowledge of God. From left to right:  Ginger, Sue, Helen, Jackie, Gail

“We’re here,” said Dad. It was Sunday afternoon, and we were on another family outing. I was around eleven and my three sisters ranged from six to nine years of age. Everyone piled out of the car onto the desert floor, including our parents, John and Helen. It was a mild, picturesque day in Arizona, and lunch was to be roasted weenies!

“We need to build a campfire to roast the weenies, and we need fuel for the fire,” began our Dad, as he removed a small shovel from the trunk.

As he knelt to dig a small pit, he said, “I’ll teach you girls how to start this fire without a match!”

I was eager to see how he would perform his feat

We were all ears, and I was eager to see how he would perform his feat.

“We need dry grass for tinder, twigs for kindling, wood to put on top that will burn easily, and some bigger sticks that will keep burning so we can cook. In addition, we need some rocks to put around this pit to keep the fire under control. We don’t want to start a wild fire.” The vegetation was sparse and there was little concern, yet he wanted to teach us survival skills and safety protocols.

We all listened with labored patience, because we had already learned how to construct a campfire in girls clubs. Yet, we adored our father, and gave him our rapt attention.

When he said, “Go!” we joyfully raced out into the desert to find all of the necessary elements he described. Dad continued to carefully dig, and Mom noticed the smug, hidden grin on his face. All the activity turned into a major production as we came running back, each with our own special find. “That’s good honey, but we need some more,” he directed, and so we hurried back to the desert and hunted for the next treasure.

The suspense mounted

He urged and cheered us on for about half an hour until enough material was on hand. The suspense mounted as he defined the basics of building a fire, of first laying out the grass, and methodically placing each twig, “just so.” My eyes were glued to the process while he performed each step and explained everything in careful detail, because he was our beloved father.

Finally, he was ready! However, he did a curious thing. He took a rifle shell from his pocket, and delicately removed the bullet with his knife; then gingerly poured the gunpowder from the shell casing onto the tee pee shaped structure. Casually, he stood to take a break and light a cigarette. He made small talk, while we anxiously waited to see how he would start the fire. “Are you girls hungry?” he teased, knowing that we had worked up an appetite.

“Yes,” we shrieked in unison.

We watched with unsuspecting awe

“Okay, let’s get this fire started.” We watched with unsuspecting awe when he bent over the fire pit and ignited it by simply touching the gunpowder with the tip of his cigarette. The fire blazed in mere seconds.  His familiar ornery smile appeared openly as our chagrin set in.

“Ah Dad,” we whinned, “We thought you were going to rub two sticks together,” and giggled somewhat disappointed. All of us had fallen for his fantastic scheme: “hook, line, and sinker”. Then everyone, including our Mom knew that Dad already had his so- called “picnic.” He feasted on every second of our dismay.

“Helen, where are those wieners?” he howled.

“Right here,” she beamed, “We need some sticks to roast the weenies on.”

Dad laughed outright with infectious glee, as he said, “Come on girls, let’s go cut those sticks.” We bounded after him while Mom kept a watchful eye on the fire.

We wanted so much to please Dad on that family outing, and the materials we searched for were “treasures” to us. Why? Our Daddy was giving us his undivided attention, and we wanted to spend time with him. It was great fun!

Rainbows are one of many treasures found in the desert.

Picture by Sue Newbanks

Safety protocols equal love

Our Dad demonstrated love when he taught us how to avoid starting wild fires in the desert. In a similar fashion, our LORD wants us to live an abundant life without “wild fires” that can so easily get out of control.

• “Wild fires” are circumstances that we set into motion by making wrong choices, often made out of ignorance or arrogance. Whatever the reason for the choice, consequences can be long and painful. By following God’s precepts or principles, “wild fires” may be avoided.

• If we seek wisdom, our lives will change and we will experience many benefits, which will exceed our wildest imagination. God promises!

• As we begin our search for wisdom, we must become like little children, running around in the desert searching for treasures in order to learn the lessons that our Father has prepared to teach us. So let us gather the tinder, kindling, and wood, dig the pit, surround it with stones, and build our “bonfire”.