“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
I have a friend named Frank. Well…at least I THINK he’s my friend. I call him that because I have him in my cell phone’s address book. But there’s a LOT of people in there, who aren’t! Friends that is. But Frank has a unique position as a specialist in his field. That I even HAVE his personal cell number is unique…since very few have it! Yup…Frank is my friend! I think!
The other day introduced an emergency situation that was rather scary and I didn’t know what to do. Peering over the edge of ‘Freak-out Cliff’ I remembered, “wait… YOU know Frank! He’ll know what to do!” Since it was late and I hadn’t yet fallen OFF the cliff, I texted him. Then awaited an answer from Frank. I got nothin’! So I CALLED another friend and got through IMMEDIATELY.
Ever since 9/11 it seems a ‘thing’ to call out and praise those considered ‘First-Responders.’ Anyone who works in Law Enforcement, the military, as a firefighter, an EMT, or in the field of medicine, became immediately qualified to receive adulation and praise because of their title or position. Thank God for people who show up in emergency situations! But I happen to believe that there exist people worthy of even GREATER honor than them!
A First Responder is just that. The FIRST one to arrive… AFTER a crisis has come. Often, the damage is already done and the job necessitates them the clean up crew. Heroes, the ones who run into burning buildings, rescue the hostage or bring the dead back to life, are rare. But I believe there exists a position that is even GREATER and MORE necessary than the First Responder! And like Frank… I don’t even know what to call them!
When you find a Church, you have found the place MANY of these people call home. With duty and relationships thicker than blood, THESE are people on a mission. They sally forth DAILY, looking for ways to help, bless, encourage, strengthen and grow people up into a higher position than the one they find themselves. Their ‘Manual’ comes directly off of God’s personal shelf! So their advice really isn’t even their own.
Who do you call when you are about to lose it? When loss grief, pain, fear, and all those horrible conditions that persist like an overwhelming unquenchable fire…when they rise to utterly destroy…who do YOU call when a First Responder would be that LAST person you wanted to see? When you need that ounce of prevention…NOT the pound of cure?
In the Church we call them brothers…and sisters. And I thank God that my cell phone contacts have a bunch of them! People willing to give God’s hand…through theirs. Are YOU are hero? All it takes is a yielded heart and a desire to serve The Master Servant…Jesus! He’s taking applications!
