Today I did the hardest thing I've ever done since becoming a pencil pushing desk jockey after graduating from college. I took the Physical Agility Test as part of the application process to become a firefighter for the city of Raleigh. I've been kinda training for this test over the last couple of months. I went in today not really believing I would pass. But, I almost did it. The obstacle course did me in. After the second lap, I was spent and had nothing left to give. Insufficient upper body strength left my arms a pair of wet noodles after exiting the tunnel on the second lap.
But I am not ashamed. Despite being disappointed at not passing the test, I know I gave my best and tried my hardest. Even though I was intimidated by all the former football players, younger men and women, and others in much better shape than I, I was greatly encouraged by everyone there. Everyone cheered for everyone else. One guy in particular was going around congratulating everyone. When I came out the tunnel and had to stop, he even offered to go thru the course with me to get me through one last time.
Honestly, I do not think I would have done as well as I did on the rest of the test if not for the feeling of instant community that was present. I met guys who were taking this test for the fifth time! Being a firefighter was a dream they were not ready to give up. And they provided some of the best encouragement. Each one told me to give it another shot in January.
This is what it should be like on a faith journey. It is one of perseverance. It should be one of community. It should be one of a persevering, encouraging community. We need to realize that we succeed AND fail together. So many times the faith community is guilty of shooting the wounded in the name of discipleship. Consequences are necessary but so are restoring functions. After the community has handed down the consequences, it should whatever possible to help that person be restored to whatever level he has fallen from. As I left the training center today, the Chief only spoke words of encouragement.
Despite "failing" I feel good. Despite being unemployed STILL, I feel good. On second thought, maybe I did do it.
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5 comments:
I like your parallels to the faith community. However, in your fighfighter test, if you failed, you're "kicked-out" of the community. As positive as it was, you're not allowed back.
In the faith community, very rarely are you "kicked-out" in the same way. In the faith community, we're not put in the "do-or-die" situation like the firefighter test. There's not a definite point where you "make it" or you don't. No goal that you can easily see and achieve in one morning. Maybe that's why it takes faith.
James, I'm glad you pointed out that rarely are you "kicked-out" of the Christian faith community. It's a good reminder to be careful of the words and analogies that I use so that I don't imply something I did not intend. However, most faith communities, i.e. churches, have nothing in place to intentionally restore someone who needs discipline. Most denominations have procedures in place to restore a minister who may lose his or her credentials due to some moral failing, but nothing for the average joe in the pew. You know that in our own denomination, covenant membership in The Wesleyan Church is supposed to serve that function. But churches don't even apply the rule of The Discipline there to use appropriate discipline to give consequences AND then restore the individual to whatever level he may have fallen from.
When I failed to complete the obstacle course today, I was finished with my present pursuit to become a firefighter. I was told to come try again in January. That's as close to being restored to that community as it gets. I hope that it doesn't sound like I'm browbeating the Church and making this morning sound like the perfect experience. What I do hope I sound like is I felt encouragement to persevere and keep on a difficult task that I can't say I've ever experienced in a church. And I'm partly to blame for that since I have been a pastor for over ten years. The Church has a lot to tell, teach, and show the world. The Church can also learn a lesson or two from it.
a persevering, encouraging community...that would a great thing to be a part of!
Good for you for trying! A firefighter! You're going to go for it again aren't you?
JP, Probably not. I hope to be otherwise employed by January. If that is not the case, then I'll seriously consider it.
Hey Matt! This is Michael Caviness. Just wanted to say I enjoyed this post. I liked the perspective... and being a firefighter, I wanted to say, don't give up if you really are interested in becoming a fireman. If there's anything I can help you with, let me know!
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