The Firefighter Rescue Plan – Part 2

The Scenario

Let us consider each part of this scenario as one who has become lost in the ‘fires of life’:

A sudden and unexpected calamity occurs in our life and we rush in to prevent any further harm without thought of a back-up plan.  Then the situation takes a turn for the worse and the world “collapses” around us.  In this moment, we feel “pinned down” by the weight of this problem.  Our thoughts turn to anger and our pride prevents us from calling for help.

The situation seems hopeless; every effort to save us only worsens the problem.

Anxiety begins to weigh heavy upon our heart.  The circumstances have paralyzed us and we fall upon our knees as we cry out in desperation to God: “Please save us!”

Take a moment and think about this: What if someone knew that in the future we would need to be rescued?  What if he knew that no matter how many people tried to save us that we still would refuse their help?

What if he knew that the only way to save us was to give up his own life for ours?

Even though at that moment, we would have never asked for his help or admitted we need his help, this person still chose to give up his life for us.

The Rescue Plan

Why would anyone do such a thing?  Because He loves us more than we could ever imagine.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)

Every firefighter wants to save a life.  It is not any firefighter’s wish that anyone should die.  So it is with God: He doesn’t want anyone to perish.  The imagery is powerful, realistic, and it is true. God chose to save us before we asked. He answered the call of our heart that we refused to make.

Many of us, including myself, only chose to call out in a moment of desperation.  This is where many of us meet God: when there is no one else to save us, no back-up plan, no emergency fund, and no one to call.

The plan from the very beginning was to save us all.  As firefighters, we understand the plan of redemption even if we aren’t Christians.  One who calls for help is saved by another that he or she has never met, and never can repay what has been done for them.  Sound familiar?

Each and every moment is a gift.  God has made a way home, a personal rescue plan, just for us.  His name is Jesus Christ.  He will reach through our darkness, give us the breath of life, and bring us through the fire into the safety of His arms.

The Call

Many have become lost on their journey in the fires of life.  It is not God’s plan for anyone to be lost but to be rescued.  He is actively searching for the lost.  His love pierces through the deepest darkness and His light shines through the most turbulent smoke. If only we would call upon His name, we would be saved.

“…for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”
(Romans 10:13)

Every citizen is taught from an early age how to call for help. They are taught to call 911 and they know that help is on the way.

In our lives, we should not be afraid to call upon God to be saved.  We should not be afraid to call out to Him for help and we should realize that He has placed a wonderful support group in our presence if we would merely ask.  “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

Each of us will face moments in life that will be more than we can bear.  It is not meant for us bear the load alone.  In firefighting, we go in together and we fight together.  We overhaul together and we get back in service together.

Asking For Help

It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help.  It is a sign of strength.  Take the time and consider this:

“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
(1 Peter 5:8-9)

Did you notice that? “Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  If those around us, that we place our trust in, are undergoing the same kind of sufferings, then who better to talk to, to lean on, and to ask for help from?

Our rescue plan has been defined, the team has been deployed, and they are standing at the ready to help.

Let us start by asking God for help and by leaning on our brothers and sisters around us. Our citizens can recognize the need to call for help.  How much more should we recognize our need to call for help?