October 15th: Sacrifice
Sacrifice Lesson Plan By: Beau Rummel
Sacrifice, Sacrificing, Sacrifices, Sacrificed:
Sacrifice: Webster defines sacrifice as the act of giving something up that is valuable for the sake of something else considered more desirable or to gain something, or to offer a person or an animal to a deity in a ritual.
As firefighters we often dismiss the sacrifices we make. We no longer think them as sacrifices but simply, “just the way it is”. But also typically, as firefighters, we also take a turn here and get disgruntled. We turn from where we started and into the easy trap of cranky. We don’t sleep and get crankier still. We see things that will cause nightmares and fall deeper into the darkness.
But let’s talk about a different path. Let’s talk about the path He has intended for us and dive into the details that are small steps to re-orient our focus on Him rather than on ourselves.
Ephesians 5:2 gives us clear instruction to “walk in the way of love”. As we turn our attention inward we stop walking in love and walk in the sleep deprivation. We walk in the horror of the moment. We walk in the pain our bodies carry from the daily, physical grind of a profession that is hard on the body. But we can control where we put our attention. Some moments are harder than others, but we can walk in the way of love with our words, our actions, and our efforts. We can take a step out of the pain, horror, and lack of sleep and choose to follow the path given. As we move towards the love and away from the dark, we move towards Him and can be the light for others.
In Romans 12:1 we are called to make our “bodies living sacrifices”. I would offer an encouragement that each of you is already doing this….to a degree. We offer our bodies every time we go on shift. Realize and lean into His calling on your life to be where you are. You are a professional firefighter. We all work hard and together, to go home safely. We run towards disaster when others run for safety. I commend each of you for the long term sacrifice you make daily. The ache of a back will last a lifetime. The pain from surgery will always be with you. The horrors burned into your mind will never leave you in the quiet moments. Remember who called you to this profession. And remember what Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.” Remember His pull on your heart. Lean into this sacrifice discipline your body and seek Him.
As we do these things we can count on His promise to renew us and to be our strength. Isaiah 40:31 is yet another example that He is asking us to lean into Him and He will meet our needs for strength. He will meet us in our moments of weakness. He will meet us with strength when we want to reach for the beer, porn, or anything else that provides relief to the flesh but not the spirit. He knows what we need to be strong, but we need to lean in towards Him first. As with faith we must only take the first step. Each journey starts with the first step. Lean into the love. Recognize your sacrifices for what they are, offer them to Him regularly. And know He will be there to meet you.
As we move forward in the coming weeks please remember, He has put all of us TOGETHER. We can lean on each other and His strength will be illustrated by the men and women who step up to help you in your moment of need. Be the light to those around you. Be the hope in a dark world for those that we serve. Remember life is scary when you don’t have the love of our Savior in their life, YOU can be the calming, shining light of hope that brings Him to someone’s life.
Questions and Meditations:
In what ways are you holding trust in your own strength above His by not asking for help or trusting that He will provide?
What are your vices that you should examine closer to ensure they aren’t taking the place of the blessing of asking Him for help/strength?
Who can you talk to about ANYTHING? What don’t you talk about with them because it feels like too much?