Gear Up

May 4th is National Firefighter’s Day, and though it was a short season in my life, I’m proud to have served in this capacity and with some people I love.  Firefighters say that their job is the best job in the world.  It’s pretty awesome, but I would argue that Zambian Missionary is up there too.  Their job title is the toughest sounding one around, though…fire and fighter in the same word!

In Dona Ana Fire & Rescue’s Academy #4, we began our journey not with shiny new gear, but with used bunker gear passed down from previous classes. It was worn, stained, and stiff—but it was our first uniform, and it marked our entrance into a new world of challenges. While our personalized gear with nameplates was still on order, we trained hard in what we had, preparing for the real thing.

Although my academy ran through the fall and winter, donning full bunker gear still meant sweating like crazy. PT was already intense, but adding layers of thick, heavy gear turned up the heat—literally.

Getting geared up was a drill all its own.  First came the fire-resistant hood,

wrapped loosely around the neck in readiness. Then the pants and boots, usually stored together, were stepped into and pulled up fast, secured with zippers and belt cliips. Suspenders over the shoulders, then the jacket zipped and sealed with Velcro flaps. Next, the SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)—like an awkward, life-saving backpack—was thrown over the shoulders, tightened, and buckled. Then the face mask, carefully sealed and tested with a palm check, before the hood was pulled over it and down, almost to the eyebrows. Helmet on, chinstrap secured, supply line connected, air flowing. Finally, you throw your gloves on. Then…clap once for inspection. Hopefully all under 60 seconds!

If something was off—if you forgot your chin strap, or your suspenders were hanging under your jacket, there was a consequence: usually push-ups in full gear or redoing it until it was perfect. And let me tell you, climbing towers or dragging hoses in full gear is no joke. Between the sweat, the weight, and the layers of heat, I quickly realized this is serious business.

Firefighter bunker gear really is amazing stuff.  The outer shell protects from flames and abrasions.  The moisture layer repels water and steam. There’s a thermal liner too, which serves as the last layer between you and the intense heat of a raging fire. Altogether, bunker gear weighs between 45–75 lbs, depending on your tools, air tank, and personal build.

But for all the sweat and suffering, the gear worked. In the burn tower, surrounded by super-heated smoke and roaring fire, you could feel the intensity—but you were covered. Protected. Equipped to keep pushing and do your job!  And in those moments, I couldn’t help but think of the Armor of God.

Just like bunker gear, the armor of God has layers:

The belt of truth that holds everything together.

 The breastplate of righteousness to guard your heart.

The peaceful shoes of readiness for moving forward with the gospel.

The shield of faith to protect against fiery attack.

The helmet of salvation, grounding your identity.

 The sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, our only offensive weapon.

Here’s how Paul describes it in Ephesians 6:10–18 (NKJV):

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance…sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…”

Unlike bunker gear, you don’t have to earn the armor of God or wait for it to be delivered with your name sewn in. It’s yours…now! By grace. Through Christ.

But it's useless unless you use it.  

When you gear up with the armor of God, it comes with some promises… 

You don’t have to face any fire alone.

You don’t have to endure hardships unprotected.

Whether you’re climbing towers in full turnout gear or climbing out of a hard season in your life, put on the layered and powerful armor of God. The battle is real.

The heat is on. But you’re equipped and ready!  Good to go!

Lions don’t run from fire and trouble. They gear up and run right towards it!

And…we at Lion Living / Orchard are sending a special shoutout and heartfelt prayers for all the frontline firefighters and first responders in our communities…folks close to my heart, in honor of National Firefighters Day —

may you be armored up and protected divinely,

no matter how raging and big or inconsequential and small, the call is today!