I was in the third grade the first time I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I attended Dream Lake Elementary School in Apopka, Florida and some local firefighters came to talk to us about fire safety. They said “if you’re ever on fire you should stop, drop, and roll.”
I remember reverently looking at all their gear and then telling my parents when I got home, “I’m gonna be a fireman because I want to save people from the fire! I don’t want any of them to die!”
I no longer want to be a firefighter, but I still want more than ever to save people from dying in the fires of hell—eternally separated from a relationship with God. Do you and I have that as our main focus? I want to challenge you to take some time today to look at Jesus’ mission. Understanding it will refocus us on our purpose as well.
Jesus’ mission while on this earth was to set people free—in all aspects. Jesus, in the synagogue (church), had a press conference of sorts; He formally announced his intentions as He opened the scroll and read from the passage in Isaiah 61:1-3:
“The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, and to say, ‘This is the year the Lord has chosen’ ” (Luke 4:18, 19).
Look Out for All People
Jesus came to look out for all people, specifically focusing on those segments of society that are forgotten, weak, sick, or who couldn’t stand up for themselves (some examples of this would be homeless people, widows, orphans, and prisoners).
You may not have access to somebody who is physically sick, or a widow, or an orphan, or someone in jail, but ask yourself this: Who has God placed within my circle of influence? Are there people I could help? Is there some kind of homeless shelter I could volunteer at? Is there someone younger than me who you could mentor? Is there someone older than me who you could visit or help—or just call, e-mail or text to check in on them?
Social justice concerned Jesus and if it concerned Him than it should concern us. Make a promise to God that you will live your life—like Jesus did—to serve others.
You may not be saying the words “Stop! Drop! And Roll!” to them, but you will most definitely be saving them from the fire.
