The year: 1950.

The place: Capitan Mountains of New Mexico.

The problem: a fire tower operator spots smoke that quickly became a major wildfire. Forest Rangers, army soldiers, Native American firefighters and civilians assembled their resources to quickly gain control and fight the fire.

The casualty: a baby bear. Rangers spotted the little guy and hoped his mother would return for him, but she did not. Being caught directly in the path of the fire storm that had become amplified by increased winds, approximately 30 firefighters survived by lying face down on a rock slide for more than an hour while the fire burned passed them: singeing their hair and clothes. Nearby the orphaned animal, who we would later know as Smokey Bear, suffered burned paws and hind legs.

The condition: Drought!!

Wildfires are more probable during times of drought. During this dry condition, there is less resistance to the dangers that cause fire, and more devastation is likely to occur.

A drought is a deficiency or lack of rainfall, and can have devastating effects from thirst, famine to disease.  A drought is not a sudden occurrence like an earthquake or a thunder storm, rather it develops slowly over the course of time. Nor does drought have an immediate effect like and earthquake or thunder storm.  As a matter of fact; weeks, months or years could pass before people even know that a drought is occurring.

In Wildfires Part I, I want to address a dangerous condition that can sneak up on us unaware, and put us at risk for wildfires: a spiritual drought. Remember, the effects are not immediate; we can slowly fade into this condition without even realizing it.

We have a vital need of Jesus the way our physical bodies require water. Without Jesus, our spirit man will become weak and wither, and can become virtually defenseless. Without Jesus, we are susceptible to the wildfires of trials and tribulations.

How can you tell if you are headed for a spiritual drought? You may experience some of  the following symptoms:

• Less spiritual growth
• Less joy & less interest or excitement for the things of God
• Less prayer & Bible time
• Less frequent church attendance over time
• Less desire for praise & worship music
• Less connections with Christian friends

Notice the word LESS. When we take in LESS of God on any level, we are headed for a spiritual drought. Having LESS of God makes us MORE vulnerable to wildfires. And it can happen to any one of us: from newly saved Christians to long time Preachers. So how do we stay spiritually hydrated?

Isaiah 41:17-18 asv “The poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I, Jehovah, will answer them, I, The God of Israel, will not forsake them.  I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.”

Water is the answer to any drought, so drink up!! Drink of the Living Water (John 7:37-39) that never will run dry!

Don’t let drought sneak up on you and put you at risk!

His answer to our need is to give us fountains of water in our dry and drought ridden places. All we have to do is seek Him. Ask Him today to saturate and heal your spiritual dry places. The answer is Jesus! It’s as complicated and as simple as that.

CLICK HERE TO READ Wildfires Part II: The Cause

CLICK HERE TO READ Wildfire Part III: The Countermeasure