ENCOURAGER

A Practical
Working
Creed
Continued from page 2
Consider the life of Jesus for a moment:
He came not to be served but to serve. The very son of God humbled
Himself and took on the form of a servant. He went and sought out those in
need. He feed them, healed them, comforted them, raised the dead, taught
and forgave them. Yet He came to His own and His own refused to receive
Him.
In Matthew 9:35-38 we see the example of Christ and His love for us:
!
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every
disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on
them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers
into his harvest field.”
Have we considered that the calling within us, this passionate drive, is God
calling to our hearts: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Will
we be one of the few? Many believe that the fire service is a spiritual
detriment but in fact it is truly a spiritual opportunity. It is a tremendous
mission field in which we can serve our fellow man, we can touch the hearts
of the broken, and we can minister to one another. Without ever speaking a
word, we can share the love of Christ with another through our heartfelt
compassionate care. With our exemplary work ethic we can show others
that our drive to become better is out of a greater love that is within us for
our God and for our families. This calling is a practical working creed that is
bestowed upon our hearts as we are predestined for good works:
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
Our drive to not become complacent in our work ethic comes from our
desire to please our one and true commander in Chief:
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).
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