“I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain…” James Taylor was not the only one who talked about fire and water. Isaiah spoke the words of God to Israel: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2) John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
I have a missionary friend who is a master potter. Every time I see him teach, using the analogy of God as the Potter, I marvel at our Creator’s mysterious ways. The potter chooses the clay. He then pours water on the clay to prepare it. The potter applies pressure at different points to form what he desires. He then puts his creation in the fire.
I confess I don’t know much about pottery, but the master potter knows exactly what he’s doing. I would think that water would just make a big mess, but the potter knows it is needed. I would think fire would do great harm to clay, but the potter knows it is essential. I realize it is pointless to argue with the potter’s ways…so why should I argue with God?
Jesus proclaimed He came to bring fire to this earth. He admitted He did not look forward to what His Father was going to put Him through, but He did not complain. “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (Luke 12:49-50) No matter what we endure, if we can trust the One who knows all things and has all power, we shall find it is worth it. “We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:12