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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Fire-fighter (10/05/06)
There are many requirements to being a firefighter. Let's begin by looking at the physical requirements. The strength and stamina to do extremely dangerous lifting and reacting to pressure would be very high on the list. When you "fight" a fire you are waging war against something that has become an enemy (housefires, car fires and the like).

Emotional maturity and training are necessary for this combat situation because our reactions under distress must be deliberate and safe so as to protect ourselves and those we are assisting. Dangerous conditions would be made far worse if we over reacted or froze in a state of panic.

Then there is the necessity of following leadership. Imagine a fire-fighter who moves forward and then after being told how to advance and where the victims are ... heads in the opposite direction! Part of the training is to teach recruits the importance of team work and leadership. When directions are not followed, there is chaos.

The spiritual analogy gradually becomes clear as the fog is wiped off of the window and we see striking parallels in the relationship that those in Christ have with God. The enemy (the Bible makes clear) is Satan... the great deceiver. The combat that we are involved in is equal to the battle of a raging inferno. We have an enemy (who if permitted) would swallow us up and demolish us.

One distinctive difference looms large. When fire-fighters enter a burning house, they enter with training behind them and a crew of team members both inside and outside. However... the commander of the fire team will never walk alongside the fighters as they step into smoke, potential breathing probems and difficulty seeing. The commander is most effective managing things from outside. Those who are in Christ have His assurance that He walks with them. They can be calm even when vision is blurred and the senses are assaulted on every level with multiple dangers. His strength and all knowing wisdom (not theirs) is going to see this battle won. So they know the outcome of the battle before they even start. Wow!!!!!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
10/13/06
Ooh, I really like the point you made in your last paragraph, of "walking along beside." Very good.
Donna Powers
10/15/06
Thank you for the reminder that our Lord is there through the "fires" of our lives. Well done!
dub W
10/17/06
Every firehouse/station has a chaplin, make a copy of this and give it to the chaplin - this has a great message, and would be perfect for a evening devotional with the men/women of the station.