As most of you’ve heard, 19 elite and specially trained firefighters, members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, were killed in a deadly wild fire in Yarnell, Arizona last Sunday. 14 of the 19 were in their 20s. This is said to be the deadliest incident for the firefighters in the U.S. since 911 in 2001. While the residents were running away from the town, these brave men moved in and put themselves in harm’s way to prevent the fire from spreading. The unpredictable wind, however, caused the fire to split and trap the firefighters, basically eliminating their escape route. My heart and sincere sympathy go out to these men who sacrificed themselves to save others and to their family members who have to live the rest of their lives without their beloved fathers, husbands, sons, and friends. Who could’ve imagined that these men would never come home from a job they routinely performed successfully?
One article I read mentioned a safety device that every firefighter is required to carry. It is called a fire shelter – a foil-lined, heat-resistant bag meant for firefighters to climb into as a last resort. This device can deflect the heat for a while, but if the fire doesn’t pass by fairly quickly, it does not provide ultimate protection. Despite having deployed this safety device, the Yarnell firefighters died a very painful death. They literally cooked to death inside them.
Then on Independence Day, I was at a barbeque party when I got the news that a dear brother, who used to serve faithfully as an Elder at NCFC, had passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack. He was only 64 years old, way too young by today’s standard. I could not believe the news. I had seen pictures of him and his family from his daughter’s wedding on FB just a few weeks ago. He looked perfectly happy and healthy then. Who could’ve imagined that he would never wake up to enjoy the 4th of July barbeque party?
These two incidents reminded me again of the frailty and brevity of life. Compared to the fallen firefighters, Elder Shin lived much longer. Even then, it passed by in the blink of an eye. In times like these, the admonition of James 4:13-15 really hits close to home: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ ”
Whether you die a very painful death as the firefighters did or a relatively peaceful one as Elder Shin did, what really matters after you take your last breath on the earth is where you will find yourself waking up. I hope all of the firefighters had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord at one time in their lives. While the fire shelters could not save them from the wildfire, the blood of Jesus will certainly save from the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) anyone who has been redeemed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. What about you? Are you confident you possess the one and only safety device that will save you from the lake of fire? If you are not sure, please come see me while you still have the opportunity.
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
July 7, 2013