This is my first blog post. It's gonna' get weird, but try to stick with me...
Heat and smoke surrounded me as I knelt in front of the door just forced opened with a set of Irons. I was geared up, including my SCBA, so I didn't have trouble breathing. I shined my hand-light into the room before me. It just couldn't cut the smoke. Lowering my head to the doorstep, I looked under the smoke for any sign of life, holding my breath to better hear potential victim's voice. Heavy flames were coming from the window to my left, but still appeared to be contained to one room. This was a potentially survivable fire for anyone left inside. I crawled headfirst into the smoke.
I couldn't see more than a few inches as I felt my way through. My gloved hands became my eyes, guiding me in search of life. Sweeping with my extended arms as I went, I traced the outline of an empty chair, then a couch. Turning through a doorway, I felt something large and square. The dresser pulls rattled when I bumped it with my head. I couldn't be far away now.
I felt the corner of the bed, and raised up to reach as far across as I could. It too, gladly, was empty. Moments later, we were outside. The fire was knocked down. A ventilation fan was pushing smoke and steam out the windows. Looking inside with the flashlight again, I could clearly see everything I'd felt, and all the things I'd missed.
That's how my life has been; feeling my way through, trying to figure out what was in front of me at that moment, but never being able to see anything until I was on the other side.
For the first time, with prayers of support from my wife, friends, and the help of some of my favorite authors, God has given me eyes to see through the smoke in my life. My life's purpose is more clear to me now than ever. I'm surely not the only one to have ever felt this way. Pray for me, and those like me, that I can clear everything that clouds my vision of God's Will in my life.
If you're not familiar with these guys, check them out now!
Jon Acuff - Quitter
John Eldredge - Ransomed Heart
