Every Spring, the arboretum near my house carries out it’s annual Controlled Burn Program. You can see the the gray plumes of cloudy smoke rising in the air a mile away. Not to mention the smell.
I remember the first time I experienced the event. I was lazing on the grass by the large pond, trying to soak up the weak rays from the spring sun. I heard men’s voices, so I sat up to see what was going on. It was an amazing sight.
Men in groups of three, dressed in white jumpsuits with Ghostbuster backpacks, emerged from around the bend in the shoreline. The leader held a tube that snaked out of his backpack, which he used to shoot flames onto the whitened brush that lay dormant and tangled on the water’s edge.
The old plants and weeds quickly caught fire, sparking up in hot orange flames, as white
smoke billowed. The two men following the leader had water in their backpacks, using the connected hose to douse any fire that headed toward healthy new plants. It was quite an operation. I was jolted back to reality when the head Ghostbuster invited me to leave my ringside seat. They were headed my way.
I always reflect on this program as each Spring comes. I am reminded to undergo a Controlled Burn too. All the useless habits I have allowed to overgrow and choke my spirit need to be incinerated, just like the weeds at the pond. And the process to get there is very much like what I saw that day.
1. Identify the habit that has to be removed.
The workers at the arboretum don’t strap on their gear and start torching everything they see. They know the areas that need to be cleared. And they are careful to keep their work to just the weeds. The good plants are identified too, so they are not affected by the flames.
Figuring out what is blocking spiritual growth is a discernment process too. Bad habits often grow gradually, and are overlooked for so long they become a part of the landscape. Spending time in prayer is a wonderful way to gain wisdom about what stays and what needs to go.
2. Choose an effective weapon
I saw fire being used to clear the shore of the pond. The newly blackened earth will recover quickly and become a place for wild birds and geese to congregate. With the overgrowth gone, access to the water is unblocked, the way is clear.
Fire is an excellent weapon. The spiritual equivalent of cleansing flames is love. Love yourself and your life enough to cut out the things that hold you back from a closer relationship with God. As the useless melts away, you will become a peaceful place for the Spirit to come and abide. Access to God’s healing waters will be open and clearly marked.
3. Be Vigilant
Although the park does one burn program a year, we have to be more proactive. Our spiritual weeds grow back at a fast rate, choking off any new growth. Remaining in prayer and practicing love every day of the year keeps those pesky negative habits from reappearing in the soil of our souls.
4. Don’t be afraid to warn others away
Remember when the workers told me to be on my way? They knew that I would get in the way of their progress. Chances were good I’d be hurt if I stayed too.
When changing a difficult pattern of behavior, it’s clear that sometimes there are people who support our weaknesses. Or tolerated the behavior. Confronting those people to let them know that we’re working on changing is vital.
It’s actually a merciful act. We make the way clear to walk our path. We spare the feelings of others who may not understand the changes. It also helps lessen the guilt we may feel in needing to say goodbye to people who continue to enable a bad habit.
Getting rid of useless patterns and routines that have accumulated over time isn’t easy. But it’s worth the time it takes to discern what keeps us from living the life that God wants us to live. Once those habits are gone, the newly created space is an invitation to the Lord to come and live more abundantly in our souls.
A new Spring Season can truly begin.
Linking today with: Kelly at #RaRa Linkup
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
Brilliant! I love the idea of a spiritual “Controlled Burn.” I’m reminded of the scripture that talks about all things are lawful but not helpful. (1 Cor. 6:12) Just because I’m allowed to do something doesn’t mean it is the best thing for my spiritual life.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Jerralea! Thank you for your supportive comments. And for the Scripture quote too.
It was an amazing sight, and really reminded me of all the ‘cleaning’ I needed to do. It’s going to take a while, but I’m willing to stick to it! There’s plenty of fuel for the Holy Spirit’ fire.
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Such a wonderful, edifying post, Ceil. I loved the spiritual applications you discovered in this, and thank you so much for sharing. You are such a dear blessing. 🙂
Hi Cheryl! I’m so glad you liked what you read. Nothing like a big fire to spark some spiritual thoughts…
I really appreciate your encouraging comments. Thank you so much!
Have a restful night,
Ceil
What a wonderful reminder.You are right. Those things should be considered all the time. Thanks for the insight!
Hi Joy! I know I have to keep after myself constantly so I don’t fall into the same old bad habits. They are my pesky weeds! But this fire really got me thinking about how important it is to get rid of the old so the new can grow.
Thank you for visiting! Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Ceil: Thank you for this post. I have some ” pruning” to do.
Hi Cecelia! Well, you can join the club there. Keeping the ‘dead stuff’ out of my life is always a work in progress. Best of blessings on your pruning.
Happy Monday!
Ceil
What a perfect parallel to describe a “spiritual spring cleaning”! It has been heartbreaking and painful to let some people and things go in my life, but I have learned that when they become more important, or when they steal my joy, they become a stumbling block and are pulling me away from my spiritual joy and passion for God! Great post Ceil!! Blessings sweet sister! ♥
Hi Denise! Sounds like you are a pro at the Controlled Burn. Good for you! I’m sure it is very painful to let go of people that you thought were a help, but turned out to be hindering you from joy. I’m sure you were so much better off without them.
Thank you for your kind words, and have a wonderful day 🙂
Ceil
Good advice, Ceil. Painful at times, but far less so than the consequences of letting those “weeds” continue to grow in our lives. Thanks for sharing the analogy. 🙂
Hi Pam! The longer they grow, the harder it is to let go of them I think. But loving God and loving myself are very powerful tools. And I know he’ll help me with his grace to set fire to all the things that stand in my way to him.
Thank you for your supportive comment my friend. Happy Monday!
Ceil
Great story Ceil. I really enjoy reading your writings. Thanks for sharing. God bless
Hi Leslie! Thank you for reading, and then taking the time to comment too. It’s always a treat to see you here 🙂
I’m glad you could relate to the post. My Spring Cleaning for habits really knows no season, there are always plenty of weeds to clear. It would be nice if it was only once a year!
Hope you have a wonderful day,
Ceil
LOVED this, Ceil!
So very true.
Hi Sandi! Thank you! I’m so glad you came over to read today.
Happy Monday 🙂
Ceil
What a fantastic analogy, Ceil! Spring is the perfect time to clear our own ground for the next spurt of spiritual growth. Blessings!
Hi Martha! I like your words ‘spurt of spiritual growth’! I hope I’m in line for that, after I work on torching those habits. Spring does make us all think about rebirth, a real time to do some housecleaning in the physical and the spiritual 🙂
Happy Monday!
Ceil
This is an excellent post and a great metaphor. Thank you for sharing. I shall keep this one for future reference!
Hi Deb! I was just thinking about you! Thank you for visiting today. I’m going to pop over and see what’s new with you in just a minute.
I’m glad you liked the post today. I really thought it was a good illustration of what I need to do to clear my heart and soul too.
Have a great Monday!
Ceil
Such an interesting take, Ceil. We tend to think of spring in terms of new life. Which it is, for sure, but I love the idea of “out with the old” too. Like we were talking about last week–beauty from ashes. 🙂 We’d rather skip over the pruning & charring parts most of the time, but that’s often what it takes for new life to come. Great reminder to press through the process!
Hi Crystal! I know that I have to be patient enough for God to send me grace to burn away my ingrained, negative way of thinking and doing. Spring seems like just the right time to remember that I’m a part of the process through saying ‘yes’.
I won’t be new unless I get rid of some old!
Thank you for visiting today 🙂
Ceil
I was just talking about “Identifying the habit that has to be removed” with my Confirmation class. I find myself missing the bad habit all too often, especially when I hear them come from my lips in the confessional. I always love your analogies, Ceil.
Hi Patty! It’s such a great thing to talk to kids about. Never too early to be aware of the things that keep us from God and each other.
Thank you so much for your always uplifting and supportive comments. I really appreciate your blog-friendship!
Monday blessings,
Ceil
Thanks for sharing this Ceil
You always inspire me so …
Have a beautiful day …
Hi Margie! Well, I think we inspire each other. God is so good 🙂
Monday blessings!
Ceil
Great thoughts today, and was needed by me. I started this morning trying to improve my health habits by waking and eating more sensibly!
Hi Freda! You are already out there cleaning up the old way! That’s awesome 🙂
We’re trying to do the same around here, and I hope to get back to walking as exercise in a month or two. You’re my hero!
Monday blessings,
Ceil
It’s amazing how beautiful things are after a controlled burn. Of the steps you mentioned for our own lives #4 is very difficult but must be done. I myself have had to do it. But it is worth it. Thank you for this great post!!! God Bless
Hi Monica! I know what you mean about #4 being tough. Sometimes people are so close, you can’t see the negative effects they have on your life. And of course, I never like to hurt anyone’s feelings either.
But it is important to have my priorities straight. It makes like much more beautiful 🙂
Have a wonderful afternoon my friend,
Ceil
Wonderful imagery, Ceil, of the spiritual cleaning/burning off that we need to do. There does seem to be something about springtime that invites many of us to clean our physical environments–something that we need to apply to our spiritual lives as well.
When it comes to cleaning–literally and metaphorically–I have my work cut out for me. Thankfully, I have a wonderful “Helper” in my Lord.
Blessings to you!
Hi Kim! Thank you for your kind comments, I appreciate it!
Oh, we all have old stuff that needs to go. Don’t feel like you’re the only one! And keeping it all clear, as I mentioned in the post, takes more attention than just once a year. Like you mentioned, we have the best help ever. Thank you Lord!
Nice to see you here 🙂
Ceil
Wow…what an excellent post with a wonderful application! I’m ashamed to say I don’t do this as often as I should. Thanks for this timely reminder, Ceil 🙂
Hi Debby! Please don’t be ashamed! You can get in line with me, I don’t do it enough either. But at least we know it’s important. With God, all things are possible! He loves us so much, he will send his timely help always.
So good to see you today 🙂 Hope it was a good one,
Ceil
Love, love, love this!! I’m such a fan of word pictures, and this was a particularly good one. Controlled burns – yes, so many spiritual parallels. Getting rid of useless patterns, routines, habits is never easy. But, what better weapon than the refining fire of the Lord’s work?!
“I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.'” (Zechariah 13:9, NLT)
I want new growth, and sometimes the only way to prepare the soil is to rid it of the dry and weedy parts!
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! Great Scripture! I should have used it in the post. And his refining fire is love. We can become cleared and ready for his Spirit when he is with us!
I love your enthusiasm my friend 🙂 It makes me want to get rid of all that hold me from newness right away!
Hope you had a wonderful day,
Ceil
Great application Ceil. You are back! As for me; that burning would have ruined a perfectly, beautiful day. I can’t stand the smell of burning leaves and can’t stand to be near a smoking fire of any kind.
Hi Bill! Thank you for your kind comments. You know, as a child we all burned leaves in the fall. Now? It’s against the law, and it’s a good thing. There are so many with asthma and allergies (including me). I think this park must get a special variance. It’s an amazing sight!
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
For me this Spring, worry is what I’m burning out, with the fire of the Word of God. It amazes me how others will try to convince me that worry is okay, it’s normal, and everyone does it. But that’s not what Jesus says. So I’m burning it out, with the help of my #1 firefighter, the Holy Spirit.
Thanks for your inspiration!
Hi Jeanette! I love your attitude. The first thing Jesus said to his Apostles when he reappeared was “Peace be with you”. He wants the same for you and me. I think worry is a perfect target for the fires of the Holy Spirit. You and God will make one awesome firehouse!
Blessings,
Ceil
“I am reminded to undergo a Controlled Burn too.” So I didn’t see that coming. But yes! We should all undertake that. I’ll reflect on what I need to burn away…. Thanks, Ceil.
Hi Lisa! Just the name of the program got me thinking. How I needed to get rid of the old junk that blocks me from God. But not burn the good stuff! I found the whole thing very inspiring.
Nice to see you Lisa 🙂
Ceil
Hi Ceil!
These are great tips! Thank you for your transparency. I love your analogy and application, too.
Stopping by from #RaRaLinkup.
Blessings,
Stacey
Hi Stacey! Thank you for coming over to visit today. I’m glad you liked the post! I hope you’ll visit again sometime 🙂
Blessings,
Ceil
Sometimes we need those steps layed out for us, numbered one right after the other. For the path is often uncertain, yet we long to move ahead.
Thanks, Ceil. Always good stuff here, from your heart to ours.
He smiles …
Hi Linda! I know I like a clear set of directions for the path sometimes. Walking in the dark is necessary too, but when we are offered light, it’s a great thing! Just like your devotional books, it can be such a help.
Thank you for your always kind support. I’m so thankful that we are connected 🙂
Blessings and a cyber hug,
Ceil
I love the spiritual connection that you made to the controlled burn that happens near your home each spring. I completely agree with the need to discern the things in our lives that are interfering with our spiritual growth, and getting rid of them. As I was reading this, I also had the thought that sometimes it is God who does the controlled burning in our lives. He may allow us to go through a fiery trial because in His sovereignty He knows the ultimate good that will result.
Blessings and hugs,
Kamea
Hi Kamea! I completely agree with your insight. I couldn’t burn anything away without His grace and power. It might look like me, but it’s all God! And love that insight about ‘firey trial’ too. That definitely causes clearing too.
Thank you for your awesome insights 🙂
Ceil
Oh such a great analogy, Ceil. I love how you identified the steps toward change and transformation. Controlled burn. I like that. This post makes me want to delve into my introspective state and span the landscape for what needs to go…
Hi Chris! It’s a great image, isn’t it? Burning seems so final and painful, but in nature and in our souls it really cleans things up and makes ready for new growth. I’m all for that!
Have a blessed day my friend,
Ceil
Ceil, my friend, you always have the best analogies. Blessings to you.
Thanks Kim! And you always have the best, supportive comments for me. It’s great to be connected 🙂
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Ceil
I bet that was a crazy sight to behold of the men in the Ghostbuster suits and fire surrounding them. This is a beautiful lesson, Ceil. I could certainly use some work on this process myself. “Bad habits often grow gradually, and are overlooked for so long they become a part of the landscape.” Amen. My landscape definitely needs some pruning :)!
Hi Candace! It sure was. And at an Arboretum? I felt like I was watching a movie!
How about we go together on a backpack and start torching our bad habits? I know it will take my whole lifetime to keep up, but we have such powerful grace available with God. He will make sure we are successful.
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
yes, we learn line upon line and precept upon precept, but it is very easy to be deceived by the spiritual enemy, and the need to keep in constant communication with the Lord is essential. God is longsuffering and understands we are flesh, but we have to examine ourselves constantly and remove the old ways. God has a wonderful way of revealing what He is saying to us through experiences in our lives.
Hi Brenda! I think that’s how all the ‘dead weeds’ accumulate. Either I’m not paying attention or it all looks so non-threatening. It is a great thing that we have such a patient God. Ready to take us back, ready to tell us what has to ‘go’.
Thank you for your always insightful comments.
Ceil
Hi Ceil!
I loved this post!
Especially this…
“Fire is an excellent weapon. The spiritual equivalent of cleansing flames is love. Love yourself and your life enough to cut out the things that hold you back from a closer relationship with God.”
May the cleansing flames of His perfect love burn away all the habits, places and things in my life that crowd out His light and life within me… more of Him Less of me!
Showers of God’s blessings over you as your body heals!
Love Danise
Hi Danise! Thank you for your kind comments my friend. And for your wonderful prayers! You’re so right, it’s all about Him, and not at all about me.
PT went well today, I’m coming along in strength. I appreciate your prayer 🙂
Hugs,
Ceil
This is just the perfect analogy, Ceil. The fire may seem harsh, but when we go through it and apply it to the much needed tangles of excess stuff in our lives, we now have new ripe ground on which to build and grow the things of God.
Living vigilant for Him, Ceil, thanks for these truthful words this week!!!
Hi Christine! I’m so glad you liked what you saw here. Things do tend to get tangled, don’t they? All those snaky vines and dead weeds weaving knots on the ground…no wonder they had to use fire!
I think God is so gentle, and that’s how He gets me to follow the clean-up path. The trick is to stay aware always. May He always have my attention!
Blessings,
Ceil
Talk about “spring cleaning,” what a wonderful way to clean up our soul in any season. I like your deep thinking and the wonderful, non-threatening way you invite us to accept the challenge! Very beautiful.
Hi Mary! Thank you for your encouraging comment! (I sure hope I’m non-threatening!) Spring reminds us about rebirth and making ready for new growth…in our souls too 🙂
Always great to see you my friend!
Ceil
Beautiful analogy between burning weeds and purifying our souls from the bad habits and sins that accummulate over the year, or more.
Thank you Ceil for this wonderful reflection. I don’t particularly like gardening; but I shall remember this post next time I see someone else weeding our garden. I really like hard work actually; I could watch others do it for ages.
God bless.
Hi Victor! I like gardening in theory, but my knees are so bad, they complain all the time! It would be nice if someone else did it for me 🙂
Thank you for your support on this post. Seeing the controlled burn was a fun experience, and it really got me thinking about how we need to get rid of those negative habits.
Have a peaceful night my friend!
Ceil
Another great analogy Ceil – the refiners fire cleansing us and making all things new. Happy you are back and praying your healing is going well.
Hi Mindy! I’ve missed you!! I’m glad you liked the post, and yes! I am healing well. I am walking better this week, and with less pain. It really encourages me. I can’t wait to get back to normal, even though the doctor says it will take a year.
Great to see you as always!
Ceil
Oh my friend… we’re obviously thinking alike here as I just wrote a post about breaking bad habits. I gave up refined sugar three weeks ago and shared some very practical tips – but I love this spiritual reflection and this controlled burn analogy.
Delightful read.
Thanks for sharing my friend!
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! You wrote a little about that in your current post. I have to hand it to you, because I think I am definitely hooked on sugar myself. My husband and I are doing well on South Beach, which is low to no carb. I need to have that, or I’ll eat sugar all day.
Thanks for visiting, it’s always so good to see you. And thank you for your kind words too.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Great words Ceil. As we clear it out God moves in. I think the things you brought up are things that could go under the radar. I am so glad that you are talking about them. Much love to you! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Hi Kelly! Thank you for visiting and commenting! You have such a busy link-up, thank you for the opportunity to meet new bloggers.
I’m cheering for you too 🙂
Happy Thursday,
Ceil
I love this. had to laugh at choosing an effective weapon. I wonder if I am choosing the wrong one time after time when trying to change a habit. mmm, will have to pray about that one.
Hi Jean! Thanks for stopping by and reading/commenting on two posts. I have missed you!
I have the habit of choosing an excellent weapon, and then ditching it when I think I’m ‘cured’. Not a great idea, because I just bounce back to doing the same old thing! Bleah.
Hope you have a peaceful evening,
Ceil