ENCOURAGER

A Practical Working Creed
By Andrew Starnes - Captain Charlotte Fire Department
As firefighters, we often view our work from a different
paradigm than most other professions. Many individuals
view work as a curse or an unnecessary burden. In fact
many of the personal problems we suffer can be traced
back to one who is unhappy with their chosen profession.
Yet those of us fortunate enough to be firefighters look
upon our profession as a calling and not a career. This
calling often causes us to go above the minimum
standards that the world requires.
What then sets our calling apart from the rest of
the world?
As firefighters, we give more than we receive as we have
seen in the numerous sacrifices made so that others may
live. We also look for opportunities to serve that are far
above and beyond the mission of saving lives and
property. This is exemplified when we see firefighters who
finished cutting a citizen's lawn after he was transported
to the hospital, or those who bought a new football for a
group of kids in their neighborhood who were playing with
a worn out one, and when we see firefighters taking the
time to excel in their knowledge, skills, and abilities to
better serve their communities. And these are but a few
examples that we know about. Many acts of selfless
service go unnoticed by the media, the political powers,
yet firefighters give of themselves not out of the desire for
recognition but for the opportunity to serve. Many
firefighters also pursue additional training off duty. They
read, teach, volunteer, and help others as a reflection for
the heartfelt passion for the fire service. In a sense, those
who believe that firefighting is a calling are committed at a
level that the world cannot understand.
So one must ask, what causes us to give of ourselves at
such a level?
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters in view of
God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy
and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.
!
Do not conform
to the pattern of
this world, but be
transformed by
the renewing of
your
mind" (Romans
12:1-2)
!
Whether an
individual
believes in God
or not, the calling
in them will often
be described as a
passionate one.
Passion can be
described as an unshakable drive from within us to make
a difference in the world around us. Thus our passion
often leads to our purpose.
If our passion leads to our purpose, who has placed this
passion within our hearts? How does one explain the
unshakable desire to serve others, to make a difference,
and to serve others in their moments of crisis?
What if the drive that is within us, this passionate purpose,
is more than our heartfelt service to our fellow man? What
if the very purpose of this calling is for us to be a tangible
example of Jesus Christ to others through our servant
leadership? What if our purpose is to lead others to
Christ?
Continued on Page 6