The blog below is a reflection on the powerful story from YWAM Chico shared above.
Even when the flames guaranteed destruction to their homes and ministries, the YWAM Chico Team were committed to serving God.
If you haven't watched the video yet, stop reading and make space, because it's a powerful story. My heart broke when I heard the amazing team at YWAM Chico, in Chico, CA, were forced to evacuate so quickly that nearly everything they owned was left behind; for some staff who had left their countries to serve, this really meant everything. As I watched the fire tear closer to the beautiful campus, I thought of the deep spiritual conversations in the valley and honest venting with God by the waterfall that I had experienced; emotion welled within me when I saw the entire property entrenched in the orange of the fire map.
If you haven't watched the video yet, stop reading and make space, because it's a powerful story. My heart broke when I heard the amazing team at YWAM Chico, in Chico, CA, were forced to evacuate so quickly that nearly everything they owned was left behind; for some staff who had left their countries to serve, this really meant everything. As I watched the fire tear closer to the beautiful campus, I thought of the deep spiritual conversations in the valley and honest venting with God by the waterfall that I had experienced; emotion welled within me when I saw the entire property entrenched in the orange of the fire map.
The campus shouldn't have survived: it did.
Undoubtedly, many who prayed for the campus were reminded of a similar story in Daniel 3. Nebuchadnezzar, drunk with power and pride, erected a gold image and demanded everyone bow to it: "Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (v6) Three young men -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego -- refused.
Even when the flames guaranteed the destruction of their bodies, these men were committed to serving God. There was no escape, as the strongest soldiers were called to throw them into the hottest fire; in fact, before they were even in the furnace the fire killed the soldiers.
Imagine what the onlookers must have felt. I imagine the Jews bowing nearby lamented for the men as I did for YWAM Chico, knowing there was no way to survive the flames. The staff of YWAM Chico, however, embodied the resolve of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: "God is able to deliver our campus from the flames; but even if He does not, we will still serve Him." When destruction was guaranteed, they stayed at the table, trusting God would simply show them a new way to serve; instead, He put a shield around the campus, stopping the flames mere feet from buildings that went unscorched.
Undoubtedly, many who prayed for the campus were reminded of a similar story in Daniel 3. Nebuchadnezzar, drunk with power and pride, erected a gold image and demanded everyone bow to it: "Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (v6) Three young men -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego -- refused.
Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. (v.13-23)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. (v.13-23)
Even when the flames guaranteed the destruction of their bodies, these men were committed to serving God. There was no escape, as the strongest soldiers were called to throw them into the hottest fire; in fact, before they were even in the furnace the fire killed the soldiers.
Imagine what the onlookers must have felt. I imagine the Jews bowing nearby lamented for the men as I did for YWAM Chico, knowing there was no way to survive the flames. The staff of YWAM Chico, however, embodied the resolve of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: "God is able to deliver our campus from the flames; but even if He does not, we will still serve Him." When destruction was guaranteed, they stayed at the table, trusting God would simply show them a new way to serve; instead, He put a shield around the campus, stopping the flames mere feet from buildings that went unscorched.
He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
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. (v.25-27)
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
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. (v.25-27)
God still does miracles. It was impossible for the men to survive the furnace unscathed, and it should have been impossible for YWAM Chico to survive the Park Fire, but in both cases, the fire was no match for God.
This is where we must ask an important question: why? Were the three men saved simply so they didn't experience pain or death? Was the campus spared simply so buildings would not have to be rebuilt? No! God is constantly after "immeasurably more" than we are asking for:
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” (v.28-29)
Not only were the men spared, but Nebuchadnezzar was transformed from a prideful man demanding worship of a statue to a bold advocate of the Most High God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! Even more, a nation of people were given the opportunity to discover and honor this God, and the three men were given positions of influence to represent Him! Protection from the furnace was not about three lives, but tens of thousands!
In the same way, the protection of the YWAM Chico campus was not about land and buildings, but a demonstration of God's power to an area that has for years known the threat of wildfires, and the equipping of a team that has committed to loving and serving that area. When I served with YWAM Chico in early 2020, we served individuals who had been impacted by past fires; the YWAM Chico team has a track-record for ministry amidst fire, and God has deepened this resolve within them. The fire was no match for God, and YWAM Chico is more committed than ever to "Loving Him and others" in Chico and around the world.
You can help. While the flames did not touch their buildings, smoke-damage and impact to infrastructure is currently being addressed. Click here if you would like to support their efforts to get the campus fully functioning so they can more fully serve their community.
Learn more about how they serve at ywamchico.org.
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