09/09/2021
C.A.N. You Hear Me Now?
As Firefighters, upon our arrival at an incident we transmit a size-up to the other responding companies.
Even though they may know what we are facing this information often communicates the actual conditions and needs we may have to others.
The conditions we see, the actions we will take, and the resources we will need to complete the task are a part of our CAN report in a size up.
How can we apply this to our lives?
In our lives, we will respond to many "incidents" that are personal, painful, and as in a fire, some may appear impossible for us to handle.
First, we WILL experience harsh conditions, we WILL have to take difficult actions, and we WILL need divine resources to get through these fiery trials.
Second, when we face down the difficulties of life, let us perform a Proper size-up and communicate it through Prayer.
We can take comfort in the word of God knowing He will hear our heartfelt radio plea for help:
"In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry." Psalm 20:1
Many times we will find ourselves speechless at our moment of trial. We can take comfort and rejoice in the confidence that we have in our training.
As a firefighter speaks over the radio communicating the conditions they encounter; they speak when others cannot because of their training.
As a believer, we can speak the words that are written on our hearts because of our "spiritual training." The daily discipline of studying God's word will bring words of comfort to us when we encounter these harsh conditions.
Therefore we are prepared to do the work we are called to do as 2 Timothy 3:17 tells us:
"Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work."
And when we are broken and in agony we can remember that Jesus cried out on the cross these words of Psalm 22:1: "My God, my God why have you abandoned Me?"
We can feel the heartfelt honesty in the words in the Psalm 22 verse 19 "Lord, don’t leave me! You are my strength—hurry and help me!"
We can relate to the urgency of one in need of rescue as we have been there to help others. So we CAN look upon God and know that a "broken and contrite heart He will not despise."
We can take comfort in knowing that there is no amount of radio interference that can stop our "prayerful size-up." "Before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24
Here's the application:
C: Jesus has torn the veil into that separated us from God. By His sacrifice we not only CAN call upon God but we WILL be heard.
A: His ACTIONS on the cross prove that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" for us. He sits at the right hand of the Father for the work is finished and He intercedes on our behalf.
N: Our NEEDS will be supplied through His Grace not because of anything we have done but what He has done for us. "For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) So let us boldly approach God in prayer.
Let us then be honest and pour out our hearts and minds to God in our CAN report. And the conditions that we face will be no match for the actions of Jesus's sacrifice for us. And when we tell God our needs we know that "My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19"
May we Pick up the microphone of prayer, transmit our size-up, and let us rejoice in knowing that an answer is already on its way.
Andy J. Starnes
Bringing Back Brotherhood Ministries
