“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” I Thessalonians 5:12

It’s Clergy Appreciation Month. To be honest I am somewhat offended that we have to have a “Hallmark Day” in order appreciate those whom we work with preaching the Gospel; we need to be appreciating them every day.
There was a point in my own life that I was making that career decision. I was actually looking at several schools and had applied to a Bible College to go into ministry full-time. Because of several “God Circumstances” and a lot of prayer, I followed the path of Paramedic/Firefighter. Having made that decision, I vowed to be the best volunteer in service to our Lord. I never regretted that decision and God has truly blessed me in being what I call a “DuVoc”, Dual Vocation. I am a firefighter by trade and a full-time Christian by passion.

I am in one of those professions that many in the community consider as a “Hero”. “Doc” is one of our firefighters, who as a black man stands six foot three and a biscuit short of 260 lbs. He can be pretty ominous. When referred to as a “Hero”, Doc will reply back “A Hero ain’t nothin but a samich (sandwich)”. I tend to agree with Doc.

If I have to look for “Hero’s”, I look to those who can save the soul, not just the body. For every time I have interrupted Death, Death still looms in the future, waiting for age, disease or trauma to be given an opportunity again. Saving a soul is eternal.

I do not need someone to designate a month or a day for me to recognize the “Hero’s” in my life. I see them every day seeking to distribute the Gospel to those who are weary and just short of Death, seeking to bring the soul back to life. They take a pulpit, sing a praise, visit the sick, tend to the needy, teach a child, feed the poor, solder pipes, paint walls, drive nails … the list is endless, all in the name of Christ..

What defines a “Hero” to me?

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:21-22

Go now and be a “Hero” in someone’s life.