Burst Into Flames: A Parable

by Richard McInteer

Blake and Andy sat at a wobbly table in a Chinese fast food restaurant. As Andy ranted about the new boss, Blake could feel his tenuous grasp on peace getting away from him. Soon, Blake was complaining right alongside Andy.

  As they were beefing about everything related to Oliver, Blake noticed a girl sitting down across the restaurant. This gal reminded him of Becky. Although this girl had many of the same delicious curves and similar hair color, she certainly wasn't Becky. He had managed for a week or more not to even think of Becky, but here was a similar girl that brought it all flooding back. He made a half-hearted effort to send the improper thoughts out of his mind, but nothing happened, so he continued to watch this girl as he and Andy complained to one another.

  Then, Andy asked him how his one-on-one meeting with Oliver had gone. As Blake remembered the victory that God had delivered, he shot a quick prayer up to his Lord which allowed him to regain focus, and then said, “It was really kind of odd. After the big meeting, I stopped by my office and it was almost like I heard a voice telling me I needed to pray. When I arrived in Oliver's office, he started right in on me. It was like he was using anything and everything, including Elaine's death, to make me so angry that I would lose control. I was sitting there with anger filling me, when suddenly something...I don't know...the Holy Spirit came over me. It was like tossing a wet blanket over a fire, because the anger suddenly lost all of its venom. By the power of God, I was able to respond calmly. When I stayed calm, it really seemed to shock Oliver. He knew I should be screaming, but instead I was smiling. This was not the meeting he was expecting. It was like I had won some sort of a victory. After that, he just went on about various accounts, but we both knew that he was just filling in with useless stuff.”

  Andy was open-mouthed. “How in the world did you manage that? I came out of the employee meeting mad enough to bite through an I-beam.”

  “That's the amazing thing,” replied Blake, “I didn't do anything. One moment I am furious, and the next I am in control and know just what to say. I was as astonished as he was, but at least I know where it came from.”

  “And God did this?”

  “Yes. I can't explain it any other way.”

  “Huh.” said Andy, “Maybe I should be praying more.”

  “I am totally in awe of what He has been doing in my life. I never realized what I was missing out on. I really missed out on a lot, and I didn't even know it.” As he said this, the two guys at the next table stood up to leave. Blake checked the time on his phone, and said, “We better go. We don't want to be late.” Then, as they got ready to go, he continued, “The odd thing, is that the more I depend on God, the more dependable He seems. When I count on Him, He is there for me in ways that I never would have expected a year ago.” As they passed right by her table, Blake never gave the girl he had been watching another glance or thought.