Several years ago, I saw a vision of two doorways. They appeared to be identical, were side by side, each filled with fire. But somehow I knew I had to choose the one I would walk through. It seemed crazy. Why would walking through a fiery doorway even be a choice I’d have to make? But I knew this vision was from God. So, I asked Him, “What’s the difference between these two doorways, Lord? They look exactly the same to me. How can I know if I’m choosing the right one?” He revealed their difference to me by saying, “Though they look the same, one holds a fire that consumes. The other a fire that purifies.”
The fiery doorways I saw are just like the so-many-countless decisions we’re faced with in life. Decisions we’ll be faced with in this New Year. Decisions about our children, our homes, our jobs, our marriages, our finances, our parents. And we’re completely free to make all of these decisions on our own, usually guessing (at best) which ones will be the right ones – the ones that won’t consume us. Or, we can trust God and ask Him for His help with each one as it comes. Following His direction, trusting in His guidance, this is what brings peace to our hearts and safely carries us through every fiery passageway unscathed, and even purified.
BE ENCOURAGED!
“So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Daniel 3:27
“But who will be able to endure the day He comes? Who will be able to survive on the day He appears? He is like a purifying fire and like a cleansing soap.” Malachi 3:2
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.'” Luke 3:16