Baptism in fire

"The firefighters motto is service.

Their values are courage, caring, community , knowledge and physical fitness.
Many are cross-trined to be emergency medical technicians.

They are organized like soldiers, but their war is not against people. Their enemies are fire, destruction, disaster, and human suffereing. As in combat, they eat together, sleep together, train together, and brave danger together. As in combat, they must be able to rely on one another when things go wrong. And, as in combat, they must be able to handle injury and death - to themelvs and others. When they speak of "batism of fire," they're not using metaphor.

Off duty, they play together and socialize together. They hold contests and competitions, combining work skills and fun. They have their awards and commendations - even bands and drill teams. They hone their skills into unconscious habits - until their job requirement and their way of life are one.

Firefighters become part of a larger family - and take car of their own in times of injury, death, and disaster, whether to themselves or to their wives or husbands or children.

What they do for their living gives their lives meaning and purpose and structure - which is something that most of us couldn't say."
an excerpt from From Beginning to End - the Rituals of Our Lives by Robert Fulgham

When I read this page in Mr. Fulgham's book it touched me deeply on several fronts. I wanted to share it with you because I think this is what so many people are searching for - fulfillment and purpose, a structure for the fabric of our life.

I've been there, and I've walked through my own personal fire to get to a life that is good and right for me. I did it largely through trial and error paired with a willingness to walk through the fire.

Face your own fire. Walk through the flames. Be baptised in fire and find the life you know you are meant to live.