Tonight is believed to be the longest and coldest night in Bolivia. It is the holiday of San Juan. All over Bolivia people will build fires, sing and eat by the fire, and be warm. Tomorrow morning, we'll awake to a fog so dense we won't be able to see out our windows, and the smoke will burn our eyes for days. Even though it is prohibited now to build these fires, still the tradition continues. Not even the threat of being fined stops the tradition.
In a small town tucked away in the lowlands, this holiday began centuries ago. The town was founded by a Jesuit priest. It was here that the town celebrated their Patron Saint San Juan (John the Baptist) and named a church in his honor. Every year thousands flock to this town to walk over hot coals. They believe only their faith will enable them to firewalk, because without faith they will burn from this earthly fire.
Thankfully, by faith, I'm saved from the eternal fire through His Son. God's promise in Isaiah 43 says He protects me from all the fires of life and from the fires of the afterlife.
How many still trust in traditions rather than the Savior tonight? This holiday we can see believers going to our churches where they will celebrate being saved from eternal fire. However, many outside still sit by their fires and walk on hot coals. We have Good News for them––they can be saved from the eternal hot coals by faith in Christ.