The Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." -John 10:11

"Making grabs" is the ultimate goal when going to "Jobtown." Risking one's life for the survival of another is a necessity of the calling. It is what you sign up for. It is what shepherds take an oath to do. Shepherds put themselves in harm's way to protect others. 

Our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, lived a perfect sinless life. He willingly endured terrible suffering and a horrific, excruciating death on our behalf. He stood between us and the wrath of God, bearing the punishment for our sins on His body so that we might be forgiven. He is "the" Good Shepherd. As such, He promises to protect us in the darkest of circumstances. With Him on our side, we are able to say, "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil(Psalm 23:4)" because He is always with us. 

Even shepherds need a shepherd. Doing the job you do, seeing the things you see, struggling with the temptations and ghosts you face, you need a shepherd. I need a shepherd. We all need a shepherd. Men and women who lead from the front with courage and conviction and who are willing to fight for their subordinates are worthy of earning a following. Jesus is the perfect example of a shepherd worth following. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

I AM the Door

"So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep."

Nine times out of ten, we are rushing through the front door to fight fire. We know doors. We know how to breach them, chock them, and control them depending on the situation. Almost all of us have an uncanny need to notice all points of entry and egress in almost any room or building. We look for exit signs that will lead us to unseen doors of egress in case of an emergency. When things get hairy, visibility is at zero, and the heat is rising, a door of egress is a wonderful welcomed find. 

Jesus says that He is the "door "to the sheep pen. As His sheep, we go through Him to find safety, salvation, protection, and rest. In the same way, we go out through Him to pasture where sheep graze for food and water. Throughout our lives and in our careers we will walk through many doors in hopes of finding all the things that can be found in Jesus. Often, we search door after door seeking meaning and purpose. 

In order for us to have true peace, purpose, provision, protection, and rest(which we all so desperately need), we must go through Him. He is the God who provides all of our needs. Some of us need a door out of the mess, hurts, and pains of our lives. That way is also through Jesus, the One who loved you enough to die for you. He is the doorway to life. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

I AM the Light of the World

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." -John 8:12

Lights, LED lights, in particular, are essential accessories to every apparatus and bunker gear ensemble. I have a light attached to my helmet and bunker coat. When I remember, I grab a larger one to carry. The lights illuminate our paths and expose both obstacles and objectives equally. They allow us to maneuver through the dark and often help in smoke-filled atmospheres. They assist us in finding others and in being found.

 

Light effortlessly overcomes darkness. A single candle can be seen from over a mile away. When one is lost in a dark environment, just a flicker of light can bring about immense hope. Jesus, the Light of the World, has imparted His light to all of His followers. In Matthew 5, Jesus says that we are also "the light of the world" who are to let our "light shine before men" so that they may "see" our "good deeds" and "glorify our Father in Heaven." 

Just as first responders must go into dark places to save victims, Christians are to exist in this dark world bringing their light with them everywhere they go. We don't run from the darkness, we run to it, causing His light, to chase the darkness away. Every kind word and act shines His light. Every time we show mercy and grace, especially to those who don't deserve it, His light shines. Each shift worked to the best of your ability and for His glory, shines light. When we love our spouses and children as ourselves, His light shines. When we share His story and His love, His light shines. Let His light shine through you so that the darkness would flee and hope would prevail. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby