Dishes, laundry, doctor’s appointment, work deadlines, birthday present . . .

I’m not sure how I would react if I set out a sacrifice to God and a pillar of fire came out of heaven and consumed it. The Israelites shouted for joy and then fell face first. I think it might have been the other way around for me.

But seeing this might have also made me feel ecstatic. It may have been so big, commanding, and unusual that all I could do was shout and yell. It makes me think of fireworks, like the massive ones that go off with a huge boom and then the explosion of raining color and fire that takes my breath away no matter how many times I have seen it. Yeah, I bet it was like that.

Being in God’s presence can bring both fear and joy. What a strange, potent mixture of emotions to consume us when we know God is near. Both lead to worship.