Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the Light of the world.  Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” – John 8:12

The first time I walked into a building that was on fire, I quite literally had no idea what I was doing.  Having just joined the department as a volunteer firefighter less than a week earlier, I had completed a brief orientation into how the department worked, was given a handbook of what to learn, and issued my gear.  But, formal training to fight fires?  Not so much.

The sporting goods store that was located on one side of the old town square in my small hometown was on fire.  Thick black smoke was pouring out the front doors.  The business to the left was a furniture store.  When I arrived, I found the officer in charge and asked him what to do.  He put an air pack on my back, hung a mask around my neck and said, "Go into the furniture store and look for extension. You good?"

Adrenaline pumping like I've never before experienced, I fumbled with my mask and mumbled what must have sounded like a "yeah," because when I looked up to ask him what "extension" is, he was nowhere in sight.

On my own and tasked with a job, I walked through the darkness of that furniture store.  Alone and afraid, and not knowing where I was going, I had one thing on my mind—survival!

I was determined to not lose sight of the flashing lights of the fire truck.  The further back I went, the further from the light I got...the harder it became to navigate.

Somewhere near the back, I got disoriented and realized there were mirrors all over the place.  Now, I could see the lights while looking in several directions.  Aargh!!  After a brief panic, I regained my composure and worked my way back toward the front of the store, following the source of the lights back to the safety I knew was waiting for me.

Too often, I believe our introduction into the family of Christ is much the same.  We get an "orientation" of sorts...a brief introduction to the Gospel and salvation.  We're tossed the Handbook and told to study it and follow the rules.  Then without formal "training," we're thrown into the fire—expected to figure it out and to live a life worthy of being called a Christian.  "Go and sin no more."

If only it were that easy.

I've been a Christian for thirty years.  I've been a Christ follower for about ten.  For the first twenty years, I wandered the wilderness, not quite sure what I was doing.  I had the Handbook, but I never really read it.  I fumbled my way through the darkness, mostly disoriented and confused.

Over the years, I've walked away from the Light more times than I care to admit…becoming disoriented and confused each time.  But, every time I've found myself in the dark, the Light has been there to lead me out…back to the safety of the One who saved me.

Men, last month I challenged you to lead from the front, to never stop improving, and to step up to the plate.  My question for you now is, “How's that going?”  Are you stepping up to the plate?  Are you deepening your relationship with Christ?  Are you leading your families in the Light?

What I needed with me on that first fire was a leader...someone to show me the way.  I was a member of the “family,” but lacked a mentor that first time out.  We can explore a path for the first time (either alone or together with other believers), but God isn't calling us to just walk the path.  He's calling us to LEAD others toward Him.  Brothers, we cannot lead someone down a path we haven't first walked ourselves!

If you're walking a path toward a closer relationship with God for the first time, you don't have to walk it alone.  Find a Sunday school class or other small group.  Join a ministry team.  Seek out a fellow believer who can mentor you.

If you're ready to lead others down the path or are already leading from the front, kudos to you!  Make sure you stay connected to the Vine (John 15:5) by spending time with the Master daily.  If you're not already serving Him through a ministry, join a ministry team…or start the one He’s placed on your heart.  Consider teaching a Sunday school class.  Maybe seek out a MasterLife group this fall where we’ll encourage each other in mastering life and bearing the fruit He has called us to bear.

Whatever it is you've been called to do, the “Officer in Charge” (that'd be God) won't just give you a task without providing the training.  He doesn't call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.  Let's seek out the Light together and lead others to it.

“There comes a time in every firefighter’s life when he’s called upon to do what ordinary men cannot.  Knowing that his inaction may lead to another’s death…and that his action may lead to his own…how he responds in that moment will follow him beyond the grave.  What separates firefighters from ordinary men is the acceptance that death awaits us all.”

I first wrote that in my personal journal over five years ago, and it’s something I believe wholeheartedly.  I believe it so much so, that every time I leave home to report for duty, I am focused on that singular thought.  Is today the day I will be called upon to answer the call that will define my career?  Have I done enough to prepare?  Have I done everything in my power to earn the right to come home at the end of my shift?  Have I studied enough?  Have I trained enough?  Have I disciplined my body, soul, mind and spirit enough to endure what I will face today?

Men, this isn’t going to be your regular feel-good Father’s Day letter, meant to lift you up and recognize your work as a father.  Instead, I believe God has placed on my heart an urgent need to challenge us all…not just you, but me too…and my challenge today comes from my twenty plus years fighting fires.

Brothers, I believe we are daily being pruned, tested, refined, and sharpened.  With the singular purpose to ensure we are battle-hardened and ready to respond in that moment that will define our lives and follow us into eternity.  How you prepare in the days, months and years beforehand will shape how you respond in that moment.

Brother, wherever you are in life, you were created by God, perfect in every way.  A sinner like the rest of us, yes, but perfect in the eyes of the Lord.  You were made with a purpose.  He has you here to bring Him glory…to make disciples.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

But Jason…I don’t know how to do that.  I’m not a good speaker.  I’m not a natural leader.  I don’t have all the answers to people’s questions about God.  Whatever excuse you choose to insert into trying to get out of the Great Commission (and I’ve use them all myself) is invalid.  Simple as that.  It. Is. Not. Valid.

Listen brothers.  I don’t know what your gift is…but I know you have one.  Some of us are meant to teach and preach…some in large congregations…others in small groups or one-on-one.  Some have the gift of worship and prayer.  Others were given a passion for nurturing and serving others.  Maybe you’re good at evangelizing and spreading the Gospel.  Whatever it is, you need to find it…and quick.

Do you get the urgency with which I’m saying this, men!?  We’re living in a world where the Lord God will return any day, and our time to prepare is limited!  Our culture is saturated with sin, depravity, lawlessness, laziness, and apathy…devoid of the Truth that is Jesus Christ.  What are you doing NOW to prepare for the moment you will be called upon to share the Gospel with someone who is lost?  Do you even have a heart for the lost?  Is our greatest concern not for the people in our life who will be condemned to hell for eternity?  Shouldn’t that be our gravest concern and the focus of all our attention?

Men…my brothers in Christ…when’s the last time you memorized Scripture?  Participated in a small group or attended Sunday School?  Worshipped alongside your family?  Studied the bible with your spouse or children?  Spent more than five consecutive minutes in prayer?  Shared the gospel with a lost person?  Loved on your neighbors by meeting a physical need?  Served a stranger in a way that opened the door to sharing Jesus with them?  Our world, nation, state, community, church, family NEEDS you us men of God to step up to the plate…to lead…to PRAY.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in over two decades of being a firefighter, it’s that there is no “routine” call-out.  Expect the unexpected.  In this line of work, there’s a general understanding that we’re being asked to solve every problem on what is the worst day of someone’s life.  If we don’t have the answer, we better find the answer…and quick.  Adapt and overcome.

Our daily lives really aren’t much different.  While our routines and schedules can often be the same from day to day, we’re constantly thrown into situations that present opportunities to evangelize and spread the Word.  Don’t think I’m right?  When you pray over your meal in public, what do you think would happen if you asked your waitress how you could pray for her, and then asked her to join you while you pray for her by name?  Can you imagine the impact you would have in her life, and the ripple effects it would create?

Simply put, my challenge to you…to us all…comes from lessons I’ve learned fighting fires.

1. Lead. Leaders lead from the front.  If you’re not out front, you’re not leading…you’re following.  Get out in front and let your family and those around you seek the safety of your shadow.  When you’re out front, you can expect to be the one to feel the heat of the fire.  The ones behind you will be shielded by you, and you will bear the brunt of the attacks.  That’s by design.  Embrace it.  You’re going to want to quit at some point.  Don’t!  You will find your rest when you put on the Armor of God daily and allow the Shield of Faith to take the fiery darts of the wicked one.  Remember, when the shield is taking the fiery darts, your family is not.

2. Never Stop Improving. Never stop moving forward.  Never give up.  There is ALWAYS a way.  It might be impossible to see through the darkness, but it’s there.  Sometimes you gotta get down on your hands and knees and feel your way around blindly with nothing but your hands.  When life knocks you down, remember you’re in the perfect position to pray.  Never underestimate the power of prayer.  Prayer is the best armor against all trials.  When you pray for better days, God will show you a better way.  No one makes a lock without a key.  That’s why God won’t allow you to experience problems that don’t have solutions.  God is never blind to your tears, never dead to your prayers, never silent to your pain.  He sees.  He hears.  He feels.  And He’s never far away.  There is ALWAYS a way.  And the answer is often closer than you realize.
   

3. Step up to the plate. Somewhere, there is someone counting on YOU.  Be ready.  Do your part.  Step up to the plate.  Don’t let them down by being unavailable, unwilling or unprepared.

 Over five years ago, I wrote something else in my personal journal right below that first entry.  Something that I hope shapes who I am in Christ and reflects God’s love to those around me…

“There comes a time in every man’s life when he will be called upon to do something that offers him no tangible benefit in return.  How he responds in that moment will follow him beyond the grave.  The benefit of his decision to act is in knowing that he did so merely because it was the right thing to do.”

 Happy Father’s Day.