Imagine you are quietly working at your desk in a high-rise office building. Suddenly, you hear that really annoying sound as the fire alarm starts to screech. But very soon, reality sets in as you smell smoke and a voice announces, “This is not a drill, please exit the building immediately.” Co-workers hastily grab a few personal belongings, cover their faces and rush for the stairwell.
As you start to join the quest for freedom, you see smoke bellowing up from a lower floor outside the windows. Shouting, crying and panic only briefly distract you from one overwhelming thought: the fire is below us – what if we can’t make it out?
Yet in this surreal moment where most people are reflexively rushing to save themselves, something compels you to remain and help others as many are gasping for air, others are paralyzed by fear and some are unable to walk without assistance. Driven solely by compassion, you risk your life to save others.
Through the thickening smoke, you repeatedly help others navigate the danger and find the way to safety. Nothing else matters except precious lives are being saved – and rightfully so. But one thing’s for sure: you would never just sit there, shrug your shoulders and go back to working on your spreadsheet, would you?
And yet spiritually, we do this almost daily.
For all around us, people’s lives are in jeopardy – people we work with, socialize with, live near – even some in our own family. Their eternal destinies are at stake while the Enemy slowly fans the flames consuming them. But many of us just ignore the smoke and complacently return to our daily pursuits. While we possess the very Living Water necessary to extinguish the flames, we have no sense of urgency. While we know the only Way to safety, we do not lead.
With the compassion of Jesus, it’s time to act. You are perfectly equipped by the Holy Spirit for this assignment so fear not! See the smoke, quench the flames and show the Way!
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.” Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment… John 14:6 & Jude 1:23 NLT