The Bulletin Chaplain’s Corner Kevin Coffey - IFA Chaplain The Greatest Among You OK, so Jesus was hanging around the fire station one day and he overhears this conversation. It’s a group of guys venting about the latest promotions on the department. It seems the one guy was passed by for promotion because he wouldn’t “kiss up” to the chief like the newly promoted guy did – or at least that was his spin on things. Another guy said that he’ll never be promoted because he didn’t have the right last name for promotion – so he doesn’t even try. His way to even the score was to be sure that he never put any extra effort into any duty that he is assigned to. Yet another guy said, “Let them go ahead and fire me – I’m a volunteer!”, which was followed by a chorus of laughter and a few more expletives about how the promotion process worked. The last one of them vowed he would study night and day for the next promotion exam before he would ever take an order from that “@#$*&%” that just got promoted. Then, out of the corner of his eye, one of the guys see Jesus quietly heading toward the station bathroom. He goes in but he doesn’t close the door, so all the guys are wondering what’s going on. They quietly walk up to the door and peer in to see Jesus grab the toilet brush and bowl cleaner. He disappears into the first stall and begins to work the brush on the toilet bowl. The guys at the door look at each other in amazement as they see the soles of Jesus’ work boots sticking out of the stall as he gets down on his knees for better cleaning leverage on the bowl. They all run up to the stall incredulous at Jesus, insisting that he get up at once and stop cleaning the toilet. One of them cries out, “Oh Lord, don’t do that – the candidate will clean the bathroom, not you. No Lord, never you!” Then without stopping his scrubbing Jesus said to them, “We all know that those of lower rank take orders from those of higher rank. But let me tell you about real greatness: whoever wants to be great among you must become a humble public servant, and whoever really wants to be “first” will find no task below him in his service to both the community and the fire department – just as I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Boy, I have really needed to go back to that story time and time again to remind myself of how God’s values sometimes flip my values right on their head! I am constantly encouraged by the servanthood example of those in the fire service that I see selflessly working for the good of others. This is not a story against being promoted, as we all know that rank and file is an absolute necessity for an efficient and prepared fire department. But whatever rank or position you find yourself in, I encourage you to pursue the heart and spirit of service. The “greatness” your heart seeks is the greatness of servanthood that Jesus will lead you into – right there in your fire department and your community. And he goes before you pointing the way with his toilet brush. Thanks to all of you for your service. If I can help or encourage you or your fire department in any way, please let me know. Kevin Coffey, IFA Chaplain (815-457-2007, kc9526@yahoo)
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:32:56 +0000
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