Toward Danger
By Tracy Smith
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will
be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
I recently saw a news headline about
a former U.S. Marine who saved a baby from a smoking vehicle. The details were
pretty amazing. On his way home from his wedding rehearsal, he heard a mother
crying for help. She and her daughter
were trapped in their smoking car. Without a thought, he ran toward danger to
help free the baby. His brother and future father-in-law also ran toward danger
and saved the mom. What is even more amazing is that this young Marine had lost
both legs to an IED in Afghanistan - - running toward danger was not new to
him. [1]
This got me thinking about
professions that require people to run towards danger: law enforcement,
firefighters and the military are just a few.
I am so thankful for those who make it their job to face danger in order
to save others. I do believe that some people are hard-wired to be the ones who
run into danger to save others. They are the ones who become law enforcement
officers, firefighters and soldiers.
As I read this article only weeks
before Veterans Day, it made me think about our military and how thankful I am
for their willingness to face danger to keep our country safe. And I’m thankful
for the training they receive to do the jobs they do. In the article, the
Marine tries to explain his actions by saying, "With the Marines, you are
taught to be prepared and act.” His training overtook his conscious mind, and
he was able to act in a way that saved a little girl.
May we know our Lord’s Word so well
that when we are in a difficult situation our and knowledge of Scripture can
automatically fill our mind and prepare us in our actions (Psalm 86:11).
The things our military men and
women do to keep us free are not easy. They run toward danger on a regular
basis. For that, they deserve our respect and our thanks.
If you know a veteran or someone who
is currently serving in our military, please consider thanking them for their
sacrifice and their service.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Do you know someone who is hard-wired to run toward danger rather than
away? Are you willing to thank them for what they do to keep others safe?
2. Do you know God’s Word so intimately that it
would automatically fill your mind in a tough situation? If not, are you
willing to take steps to change that?
FURTHER
READING:
Along with being a wife and mother
to two teenage boys, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood, serves on the
Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and works with a great group of Junior
High girls.
