A new experience rushed upon me at work on a Friday night shift. It was the first shift of this new side contract. My role consists of discouraging drug traffic, vandalism and disturbance of the peace, a bit more intense than my usual assignments.
But the night took on a different turn. I smelled food burning, like something spilled over in an oven. Still, I began to make frequent checks.
About 40 minutes later the hallway began to fill with smoke. I knocked on the door until finally someone answered. They had fallen asleep with a pot cooking on the stove.
By the time the fire department arrived (about 5 minutes!) the fire was out and they just had to purify the air.
Now, I have never prevented someone from certain death before. The adrenaline rush to do all the right things, informing other residents, contacting building manager and my own supervisor, paperwork, and nearly an hour of constant fire patrol until the alarm was reset, and more, set me up for a crash as I drove home.
The reason I share this is that on my way home I felt so fragile, weak and nearly helpless. What if that company had not hired security? Someone would be dead now. What if I hadn’t noticed the smoke? Someone would be dead now. What if I hadn’t taken on this new career, forced though I was out of the previous one? Someone would be dead now.
This all reinforces the importance of following the guidelines to do a job. It gives a strong argument for staying alert.
Following Jesus holds the same requirements. Follow the law of love. Stay alert and endure to the end.
I am still unnerved by this whole incident. I didn’t get much done today.
Help me, Jesus, to be ready and willing to act rightly whenever You call upon me. Since you are strong when I am weak don’t let me wander away from your presence.
“Get into the presence of Jesus, and you will not be left to hazy questionings and doubtful disputations, but will be told clearly and unmistakably His will, and always definitely about one point at a time.”
(F. B. Meyer, “The Secret of Guidance”, Chapter V – Hand over to Christ All Other Burdens)
15 responses to “Someone Would Be Dead Now”
Sebastian
July 7th, 2013 at 10:39
Thank you! Blessings & Peace to you my brother!
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nopew
June 13th, 2013 at 19:57
True truth!
Peace
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Sebastian
June 12th, 2013 at 21:54
Amen! You know, that is what we need…more REAL God encounters!
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nopew
June 12th, 2013 at 12:47
Yes, without question. Sometimes life is surreal when the real God comes into a situation.
Peace
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Sebastian
June 2nd, 2013 at 20:31
Isn’t the Spirit wonderful? Shalom!
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nopew
May 28th, 2013 at 20:11
We are of like mind!
Peace
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Sebastian
May 28th, 2013 at 12:09
Amen!
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nopew
May 27th, 2013 at 19:10
And it is life eternal at that!
Peace
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Sebastian
May 27th, 2013 at 12:09
Thank you for sharing that! It is the reality of our natural lives that awakens us but the Truth of the reality of God that allows us to really live. Blessings to you!
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nopew
May 20th, 2013 at 14:37
Anything that takes a scale from our eyes to see God more clearly, eh?
Peace
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nopew
May 20th, 2013 at 14:35
Thanks!
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lessonsbyheart
May 20th, 2013 at 13:21
Amen!
\o/
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papapound
May 20th, 2013 at 12:51
F. B. was having a good day when he made that statement. Jesus is enough even when I am rattled upstairs. He is enough when I am in a fog. That happens more and more as I age.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here nopew. Good analysis. Sometimes the ‘what-if’s’ lead us to really great conclusions.
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nopew
May 20th, 2013 at 12:20
Thank you for your empathy.
Today I’m back to gardening full tilt. Since the humidex is already 32C at noon I’m running out of energy…
Peace
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greenlightlady
May 20th, 2013 at 00:18
Well done! I can see why you would feel unsettled after that shift…
Blessings of peace ~ Wendy
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