Monday, December 26, 2011

FIRE WORKS


Every year, it’s the same boring news towards the end of the year:

Health authorities and the police warning the public to go easy on firecrackers and the firing of guns.

Hospitals getting ready for firecracker victims.

Yet, they still come in droves---adults and young alike rushed to hospitals for firecracker burns, mangled hands or legs, or because houses were burned, due to their fondness for fireworks.

The media will of course exploit these incidents in their usual soap-operatic fashion, getting these boys and so-called men on camera as they wail in pain and promise to no longer have anything to do with these stuff. Of course they’ve learned their lesson.

Orthopedic surgeons, trauma teams and TV audiences could only shake their heads in dismay or amazement.

Aren’t we just one big nation of revel-seekers who will risk everything for a few minutes of entertainment and fun. Mga pasaway! We know how bad it is yet we persist in doing it because it feels good.

Let’s pray everyone heeds our authorities’ appeals: Be content with the fireworks displays by your municipalities or the big malls. Besides, you can put your money to better use by donating to organizations doing relief work for victims of typhoon Sendong.

But here’s my personal challenge to you: Instead of being out there singing Auld Lang Syne and making noise as you count down the minutes to end the year, be alone or invite like-minded individuals to join you in a room.

Praise and worship God and pray for the Greater Fire to rain down on you.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Act 2:1-4)

The only fire that works, which doesn’t mangle or destroy, will surely put you on track for the bigger challenges of 2012.

Stop putting your trust on firecrackers to ward off evil, or round fruits and coins or polka-dotted dresses to usher in your good fortune.

God is the giver of every good thing! He will bless and make your life abound if you put your trust in Him. Trusting Him means doing things by the Book. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit to give us His wisdom in time of need.

Jesus said, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). The disciples’ lives were never the same after Pentecost day.

Now that’s the only Fire we need to keep us going and going and going in 2012.

2 comments:

  1. We never learn! Those firecrackers claim lives every year, meaning they don't drive away evil spirits but invite them. May we look to the only Fire that matters in 2012. Happy New Year, Yay!

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  2. Yey! A fiery 2012. I like that! Happy new year, Grace!

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