Still Heading Up
The ministry of missional lions everywhere is to carry out the work of Jesus in the world. That means our vision must grow wider, and our sense of urgency and compassion must grow deeper for the people around us, and around the world, who do not yet know the Good News of forgiveness, salvation, and the eternal love Jesus offers.
That is what moves us forward, what moves us onward, and what moves us upward.
On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and western Pennsylvania. Twenty-five years later, it remains a heavy day.
Among those who died were 343 FDNY Firefighters. That number is emblazoned on the first challenge coin I ever received after completing my fire academy. A captain from the volunteer department where I first served, who is also a longtime friend and brother, gave it to me after graduation. On it are four simple words: “We Will Never Forget.” And today, I found myself thinking about the story of FDNY Captain Patrick “Paddy” Brown of Ladder Company 3 climbing the North Tower with his crew. Brown was a Marine and Vietnam veteran, a decorated firefighter, and a leader known for courage and even some unusual and creative rescues. A radio transmission from Brown to the command post below, upon reaching the 35th floor stated, “Three truck. We’re still heading up.” That message came an hour before the tower fell. Upon reaching the 44th floor thirty minutes later, Brown refused an order to evacuate due to the numerous patients and burn victims he had found suffering. The tower would tragically collapse 28 minutes later.
Jude 23 tells us to “rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment.”
The courage, service, and love displayed by the firefighters who kept heading up when everyone else was fleeing downward is inspiring. And our mission of rescuing others from darkness and the flames of judgement is similar.
Our mission is temporary. Life is short, so we must give our all!
Our mission is important so we must stay engaged and keep our focus.
Our mission can be hard so we must become willing to lean into difficulty instead of being surprised by it.
Our mission is bigger than us, but we can move forward in confidence because we know who we are and whose we are.
Our mission is demanding, so we must be prepared.
Our mission is personal, so we must close the distance.
Our mission can take us into dark and difficult places, but we never go alone.
Jesus ends the Great Commission with this promise:
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We are meant to carry light into dark places, not to maintain a safe distance. We cannot live as spectators while people all around us need hope. Lives matter. Eternities matter. The people in front of us, and around the world matter.
Lion, you and I were made to move toward the places where Jesus is needed most, courageously, compassionately, and confidently.
He’s with us, lions. Let’s keep heading up!