Last week was the graduation for the Dare County Firefighters Academy. Seven brave and faithful students received their firefighter certificates after 9 months and 400 hours of classroom and onsite training. That training included 21 weekends of drills. Did I mention that this is a volunteer corps? These new firefighters will serve in Corolla, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, Kill Devil Hills, and Roanoke Island. The spirit of camaraderie was tangible as they coordinated both a wonderful cookout for the guests and sported very loud Hawaiian shirts for the celebration.

I am a brand new volunteer chaplain for the fire department and giving the invocation for the graduation was my first official act. Chaplains only get called out when a death occurs, and I truly hope that attending graduating and offering a blessing over a meal will be the extent of my service with them. I sat in awe of their dedication and willingness to go deliberately into harm’s way to help people, and I pray that none of them come to harm either physically or emotionally as a result of their sacrifice.

I read these words from the 43rd chapter of Isaiah to them. I hoped these words would bring comfort to the new firefighters and their families:

Isaiah 43

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

² When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. I have two friends who are going through very difficult custody battles and another who may lose her job. I think of them every day and pray this over them. When things like this happen, remember that you are only PASSING THROUGH this time of your life. It won’t always be this way.

When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Another friend just lost his wife. Waves of grief will now come on a regular basis for a while. I pray this over him. When someone you love dies, remember that you will not be swept away by the sorrow forever; it will not always feel this way.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. For all of you undergoing cancer treatments, spending another day of your life in prison, struggling to find work, advocating for your family’s rights, walking in protest, fighting your way out of abuse, overcoming addiction … I pray this for you. I pray this for all of our steadfast first responders, who run directly toward danger to protect their communities. When you are experiencing a time of great trial, remember that you won’t be burned by your journey…just keep walking toward God’s promise for your life.

This passage assures you that God had redeemed you. He has summoned you by name. You are his, so do not be afraid.

Thanks be to God.

Sky Fire by Michelle Robertson