The house was on fire.

Someone smelled smoke. Upon investigation, a smouldering pile of rubbish was discovered. Because it was small, and some people were huddled around it for warmth, it was allowed to burn. Everyone else pretended to ignore the smoke.

But—the house was on fire!

Don’t play with fire! Hadn’t we been taught about the dangers of playing with fire? The consequences would be disastrous. But the ones seeking warmth from the fire were turning things into a party. And the fire grew.

The house was on fire!!

Warnings abounded. Concerned people wanted to douse the fire before it grew. Others found joy in the celebrants’ delight. Committees were formed to encourage everyone to allow the celebration to continue.

The celebrants who danced in the spreading flames attracted others. And the fire grew.

The house was on fire!!!

Call the fire department! And the fire department joined the party. And the fire and the celebration grew. The committees had joined the celebration.

The house was on fire!!!!

Some fled. Some stayed.

The house was on fire!!!!!

Didn’t God make the fire? If he did, it must be good. After all, God doesn’t make mistakes, does he? The fire, then, is to be celebrated!

But the fire must be kept in its proper place, suggested some. Left to grow on its own, it will devour the other good things God made for us to enjoy.

The fire grew. Many fled. Some stayed.

The house is on fire.

__________

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.”

~ C S Lewis

They gave up God: and therefore God gave them up—to be the playthings of their own foul desires…

~ Romans 1:24