First Responders
While I was a Firefighter / EMT, every single shift started the same way: detailed truck and med bag checks. We took a complete inventory of what was on the truck and in the bag. We made sure the required quantities of every piece of gear was onboard. We started up and tested all the extrication gear and saws and ensured that everything was in place and secured at the ready for the first call. It wasn’t that we didn’t think the previous crew had done their job poorly. We trust but we verify! And we wanted to be meticulous in our readiness. We wanted to be fully prepared for what the next 48 hours might throw at us. And some of those shifts threw us some curves! Navy SEALs say, “You don’t rise to the occasion. You fall to your level of preparation.” We wanted to be a crew that responded efficiently and professionally, so we could get people off the emergency ground, stabilize and comfort them, help in any and every we we could, and then transport them need be, to the hospital for a higher level of care. And I keep coming back to this idea: What if Christians and missional people, and lions lived like first responders?
First responders are normal people. Not saviors or superheroes. But they do the work to be ready to respond, and they are willing to run towards the trouble. But, they don’t wait until the emergency tones ring to get ready. They live in a prepared state. Ready to help. Ready to care. They train. They prepare. They sharpen. So when the call comes along, they are fully ready to respond. That’s how lions and disciples of Jesus are meant to live. Not occasionally stepping into service roles from time to time. But living ready to serve and care and help, every day.
I’ve been thinking lots about this and have come up with a simple acronym…WAR.
W is for Willingness. I believe willingness is a superpower. It’s Isaiah saying, “Here am I, Send Me!” Someone ready enter the fray no matter what. That gives God something to work with and is the type of life He can use.
A is for Alignment. I am living a congruent life. My actions align with my words and all of my life is in alignment with my faith in God, His purposes, and His heart.
R is for Readiness. This is where a life of preparation kicks in. 1 Peter 3:15 says,
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Lions live prepared physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and most-importantly, spiritually. They are ready to roll!
I’m not talking at all about works and earning God’s love or earning our way into heaven. That work, upon our repentant confession of faith in Jesus, has already been done completely. But after that I have noticed lots of people resting on their laurels. Not living activated. Not having impact. Preparation is what makes a life of impact possible. I believe our lives should be congruent with what we say we believe. Missional living isn’t something we turn on for a week. It’s how we live at home, at work, in our relationships, in our everyday decisions. The Gospel guides and the love of Jesus compels us.
Another thing I loved about the fire service was the constant requirement for ongoing mastery and growth. Just to become a firefighter, we had to certify in Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations, Wildland Firefighting. We had to obtain our Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications. We had to become certified Fire Apparatus Driver / Operators, and we had to become nationally registered Emergency Medical Technicians. That’s baseline. Some of those require recertification at different intervals. Then you have an entire probationary year to work through skill proficiencies in all areas of the job. Beyond that there are other specialties available as well such as technical and swift water rescue. In the fire service there is a huge focus on building your capacity and growing in confidence in your capabilities. There is a culture of more to learn and staying sharp. I love that!
This week, something special is happening in Zambia. Seven of our Lions are currently in a first aid certification training course with the Red Cross. They’ll complete a weeklong basic lifesaving course and upon certification will be eligible to go even further. I’m incredibly proud of these guys. They have accepted the challenge to study and learn in another area beyond their schoolbooks. They have committed to be first responder prepared and ready to help in a moment of need. And that’s what leaders do!
I know it will be a great week of stepping outside comfort zones, learning practical skills, and lion living! We’re proud to be influencing the next generation of missional men who are willing to step up and step out. Who live in alignment with God’s heart and his call on their lives. And who are constantly sharpening, learning, and growing so they are prepared and can respond in readiness to love, serve, help, and to lead!
Lions, let’s all become more like Kingdom First Responders!