Natural Roman Candles

Journal 2006 06 25
Natural Roman Candles

“last evening the indians entertained us with seting the fir trees on fire.    they have a great number of dry lims near their bodies which when set on fire creates a very suddon and immence blaze from bottom to top of those tall trees.    they are a beatifull object in this situation at night. this exhibition reminded me of a display of fireworks.    the natives told us that their object in seting those trees on fire was to bring fair weather for our journey.—

Lewis watches the display with a marvelous curiosity and ability to place the activity in time and culture. To the men of the Corps of Discovery the trees set ablaze were like a natural fireworks display. To the Nez Perce men they were an offering to an unknown Creator to secure fair weather for the trip ahead.

Have you ever talked to a modern day firefighter? Have you ever read an account of a wildfires fury through a dry forest? Explosions and rockets are two of the terms you will hear to describe the rushing “whoosh” of air that accompanies a dry evergreen tree set ablaze.

The Indians must have seen lightning ignite the forest and then learned how replicate that without burning the whole forest down. My guess is that they also knew they could light the fire now, early in summer, before risking the whole mountainside burning as a result.

It was still about a week early for a Fourth of July celebration. However, I bet the men viewed this as a good substitute. Many of these men, not all, were toddlers at the end of the Revolutionary War and would hold vivid memories of a lifetime of celebration around the day freedom was gained from British rule. Some were not even born when that great battle for independence was waged. They too would know the celebration. Not one generation had yet passed and the struggle to victory would be their constant companion because they knew the human cost required to gain it.

Were these men able to see themselves as we would place them in history? We see them as the valiant thrust of a giant sword of destiny that would clear the way for millions to follow as they forged their way across the continent and back. More likely, they saw themselves enrolled in a great adventure filled with danger. The rewards being short term wealth and fame.

Are we able to see our place in the world today? What endeavor have we been called to enlist in that would have the same impact on the future as this great westward expedition did? Would we live any differently if we could see out place in eternity?

“Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.  (2)  Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  (3)  When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG  

If we don’t know a higher calling, let’s ask for it in prayer. Then, as said above, let’s take inspiration from Jesus and from this valiant group of men to prepare, embark, labor, explore and return that we might find strength for the journey and reap a reward in Heaven and on earth.