On October 22nd 2007, Orange County as well as a number other surrounding counties experienced one of the most devastating fires we’ve seen in over a century. Just in Modjeska Canyon 248 homes and 900 residents were evacuated as well as hundreds of domesticated animals including horses and llamas.
A family locks the front door of their home as they enter into a typical day; only the door was locked in vain because they would later return to only the hardware of the door left un-identifiable. What started as an uneventful day is now an event that will change their lives forever.
The magnificent mountain lion that claims our parks as his own, the deer that gaze at the hikers, bikers and equestrians, the sage, the mustard plant, giant oaks and the prickly pear cactus are unaware of the change that is sneaking up on them. There is no place to hide from the untamed sword of flames that blaze through their home.
People, animals and plants would never voluntarily ask to uproot their lives in order to bring about new change in order to prepare for the next chapter of their lives. We are creatures of comfort and continually seeking contentment. It’s too hard to change; I might have to give something or someone up.
In the woods, the old growth, the least healthy vegetation we’ll refer to as sin and an example of being the conductor of our own lives. We can survive for a while being in charge, however, our lives become dry and brittle because we are not receiving “living water”. When we continue this way and God really wants to bring about change, He will sometimes provide that one spark, setting things ablaze to remove all of those dead weeds clearing the way for new growth.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
As devastating as those fires that broke out back in October were, we now know that families, creatures and plants are all slowly resurrecting from the damage that once invaded their lives bringing about positive change. New structures are being built and of course as you drive around we see God’s hand painting the hills a beautiful green and mustard yellow.
As outdoor adventure enthusiasts we perhaps can’t see where this change fits into our lives especially with upcoming races and the need to stay physically and mentally healthy. Personally, I once again signed up, enthusiastically back in October to participate in one of the nation’s toughest mountain biking challenges, The Vision Quest.
The vision for this quest has become even more challenging due to the lack of trails to train on, the wet weather and more time with my business. Like most of you, these obstacles have reduced my enthusiasm down to a mere frustration. Did I ever consider that these obstacles might be that prompting from God to change from my plans over to His plans? Of course not, I am pretty stubborn when it comes to my desires, especially time on my bike.
A beautiful spark from God entered into my life that caught my attention in the midst of this frustration. My son went away to Air Force Boot Camp on December 11th 2007 and left behind the women that he loves so very much. At his request, I had agreed to invest some time getting to know her as well as encourage her because she had just lost her mom this past April.
My son recently proposed to her while she was on a short visit to see him and has now become basically, a part of our family. Through his absence, I’ve invested time into this beautiful young lady getting to know more of her hurts and becoming very instrumental in her healing. The rewards of this time together and watching her recover from her own personal fire of losing her mom provides me a greater sense of accomplishment one that could never be acquired from any race.
Are you feeling dry and tired and defeated during this season? I’m not discouraging you from giving up your goals and aspirations of competing or your continued desire to be in shape or anything else that motivates you. Just accept the changes of these seasons and ask yourself? Am I supposed to participate in these things despite the obstacles or am I supposed to be open to some restoration of my soul because I am not content blazing my own trail.”
Seasonal changes are presented in our lives and sometimes we dig our heals into the ground to accept them and perhaps walk in another direction not of God’s. When we accept God’s seasonal changes and we seek to discover His will through them, the blessings are abundant!
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13
Jacke Van Woerkom
Director of Trail Angels – TrailAngels.com
outsideallday.com Contributor
