By Ife J. Ibitayo
A blazing inferno has enveloped the city of Los Angeles since the start of this year. I had to stand by as flames consumed the homes of friends I love, landmarks I’ve visited, and trails I’ve hiked. With the fire finally contained earlier this week, it’s safe to say that people are beginning to shift their focus from “When is this going to end?” to “Why did this happen to us?”
Fire Judges
Internet gremlins and holy Facebook warriors have scrambled out of the woodwork to declare this an act of God’s judgment. Statements such as, “California is already hell on earth; now it has the fire to go with it,” or “America’s Sodom and Gomorrah has finally been baptized by fire” litter social media pages like so much trash on the I-405. But as someone who lives in the heart of Los Angeles, I’ve seen a very different force at work through the flames that decimated our city.
Fire Refines
The Scripture says, “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3). Fire has a way of burning away dross and revealing what truly lies beneath.
In a Hollywood Prayer Network worship service a few days after the first fire broke out, I watched believers from across the city unite to grieve our losses and support our city. Through serving with the Salvation Army, I witnessed thousands of volunteers mobilize as the heart and hands of God to a hurt and broken city. And through relief funds and generation donations, I’ve seen that money doesn’t just flow into LA to finance movies and startups but also to provide resources to those who need them the most.
Through the crucible of the LA fires, I’ve been stunned to discover that under the glitter of LA’s bright lights, there truly exists some beautiful gold.
Fire Renews
I was reminded of some facts I learned long ago about forest fires during a prayer call a couple of weeks ago. 1. “where the ground has a deep accumulation of branches and litter, fires reduce this debris and supply nutrients to the soil.” 2. “There are many tree types here in California that require fire in order for their seeds to germinate.”
These two truths synthesize some of the miracles blossoming here in Los Angeles. Firstly, spurned on by the fire of necessity, a diverse set of organizations—both secular and spiritual—are banding together to serve the most vulnerable in our community. The old detritus of petty rivalries are being burnt away so that the twin beams of grace and mercy can be let in. Secondly, I believe that the seeds of new growth have already been planted, both for a revitalized city and a renewed faith.
Conclusion
So as these fires die down and the work of rebuilding ramps up, we don’t grieve as those who have no hope. Out of the ashes of these wildfires, I can already envision a phoenix of hope arising that will touch our city, our country, and perhaps our entire planet.
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
(1 Peter 1:6-7)