God chooses to use symbols to inspire and remind His followers that He was at work in the past and will be at work in the future. These symbols often take the form of structures built. For instance, when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, Joshua was directed to build an altar so that future generations would know of God’s power and authority.
Today a symbol of God’s work is in jeopardy. The wildfires in Colorado are dangerously close to Glen Eyrie conference center. This beautiful expanse and the buildings on the property are symbols of God’s work to thousands of people. I cannot begin to tell you how many individuals I’ve spoken with who have told me they started a life-long relationship with Jesus at Glen Eyrie, committed to give every ounce of their being to the life-long pursuit of being a disciple and disciple-making at Glen Eyrie, or surrendered to full-time ministry while on some path or in some building on the Glen Eyrie grounds.
The loss of this symbol would not be the end of the world. God would still be God and He would still exhibit His love and power. But, for many, their reminder of God’s eternal touch would no longer exist.