I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the Lord – Psalm 40:1-3 CSB
These three verses of scripture from the Psalms resonate deeply when we reflect on all that God has delivered us from and walked with us through. We could read these three verses of scripture to the younger version of us in our teens, twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond. I say this because far too often when we are traveling through a difficult trial or season of life, it can be a challenge to see the peace and lessons learned that await us on the other side. Rest assured, God is with you in every storm, and He desires for you to come into His presence to receive His peace.
clarity & gratitude gained through daily trust
Personally, when I read these verses, it provokes a great amount of reflection over my own personal life and professional career. From the early days of being a Deputy Sheriff in my twenties praying to God to clear the path prior to my arrival on a “Hot Call,” to losing Brothers in Law Enforcement that I was close to, calling out to God to wash me clean from all that my eyes have seen, and now to retirement, these verses have provided the confirmation that His peace-filled presence has remained with me from the beginning to now.
The one confirmation of absolute truth is that God alone provides the way and the strength through all that this life and our journey as a Christian First Responder will ever hand us. Why? The answer to why is found only in The Way. The Way is Jesus Christ and He is also our source for truth and life. Jesus Christ is The Way to the Father, and the Father created us in His own image, that we too may be a light unto others. This became clear to me in a difficult season of life when I faced my own sinful, destructive choices, and finally surrendered my entire life to Jesus Christ. I began to truly abide (trust) in Him, I prayed and read the word of God daily. Through repentance and coming clean with God, I could now relate to Psalm 40:1-3 with great clarity and daily gratitude, which led to my personal growth.
how to find Gratitude in Every Season
Be encouraged today and always to take the time away from the profession to enter into His presence and survey your own life. How has God showed up for you and how is He walking with you right now? How has God provided for you, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially? Allow God to wash you from all that you too have seen, heard, and experienced, both personally and professionally. He will renew your mind and restore your soul. God desires to hear from you daily, He will take on your burdens, pain, and any struggles you may be experiencing in this life.
I conclude with these powerful lyrics from the popular song, “Dear Younger Me” performed by the contemporary Christian band, Mercy Me:
“Every mountain, every valley, Through each heartache you will see, Every moment brings you closer, To who you were meant to be.
May God bless you today and always as you continue to run your race with perseverance. Many in the Mission First Alliance have you covered in prayer, to include myself, and we will continue to.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. – James 1:2 CSB
Mission First Alliance exists to equip, encourage, and connect all those who seek to reach First Responders with the hope of the gospel. Contact us here if you need help or prayer.
Waiting on the Lord in the Line of Duty, “Serving in the Kingdom of God”
In the heart of the chaos, when sirens wail and every second matters, first responders step into the storm. They are the unsung heroes who run toward the crisis, embodying courage and compassion. But what if we viewed their profession through the lens of faith—as a mission field in itself?
First Responders: Servants in the Field
First responders—be they police officers, firefighters, paramedics, or emergency medical personnel—stand at the crossroads of human vulnerability. They encounter the broken, the frightened, and the lost. This isn’t just a career; it is a calling, ripe with opportunities to shine the light of Christ.
Recognizing the first responder profession as a mission field means acknowledging the profound impact they have not only on physical lives but also on spiritual well-being. Each moment of rescue, every comforting word, is an act of service that reflects God’s love. These acts, seemingly small, often mirror the compassion of Christ—the ultimate First Responder, who rescues us in our deepest need.
Persevering in Faith: The Call to Wait Upon the LORD
The profession of a first responder is fraught with challenges—long hours, emotional tolls, and moments of uncertainty. But it is in these challenges that the call to “wait upon the LORD” becomes paramount. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Waiting upon the LORD isn’t passive; it is an active trust in His timing and His plans. It is a spiritual discipline, a reminder that strength comes not from our own efforts but from reliance on God.
How to Serve and Persevere
See the Job as Ministry: Embrace the truth that each interaction is an opportunity to be a vessel of God’s love. Your vocation “is” your ministry, ministry isn’t a vocation.
Rely on a Faith Community: Fellow believers can offer encouragement, prayer, and support for the unique burdens first responders bear.
Cultivate Spiritual Resilience: Make time for daily devotionals, prayer, and Scripture reading to renew your strength in Him.
Trust in God’s Timing: Understand that even in the waiting—whether it’s during a shift or in life’s broader challenges—God is at work.
Obedience is key! Your availability to serve this field is vital in the success of the mission. Waiting upon the LORD allows Him to prepare you and those you are called to serve and serve with. It’s God’s strategy.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
In a profession facing darkness and evil every day, courageous examples to follow are needed. Lieutenant Bradley Shaw of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama is one of those leaders. A humble, genuine and purposeful man of God, both in his agency and at home, whom I consider to be worthy of following. His testimony is changing lives and leaving an impact for God’s Kingdom.
“When I was Sheriff of Houston Co, AL he was one of my deputies and he still serves as a Lt. with HCSO. To say that I’m proud of Bradley Shaw would be a huge understatement! I’ve personally watched him struggle and also be victorious. The greatest thing is that Bradley gives credit where credit is due, to Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. He is a humble man who is ready and willing to be used by God as his vessel. Bradley once thought that law enforcement was his true calling, but HIS true calling has now been revealed to him and God is only just beginning to use Bradley to reach Cops for Jesus Christ.” – Sheriff Andy R. Hughes (retired)
Watch the 14-minute video where Bradley shares his testimony in his own words.
“This is a wonderful testimony and I love the humility of Bradley and his family on purposeful mission!” – Sgt Jeff Daukas, Glendale PD in Arizona
Bradley’s 23 years of service in law enforcement has led him through difficult personal and professional challenges. In 2022, when the Lord captured his heart, his story changed from despair to hope. You can now hear a renewed joy, peace, and purpose in his life, and how it has impacted his whole family. He desires the same for all those serving and sacrificing as first responders today.
In 2024 Bradley was introduced to Mission First Alliance and immediately began taking bold steps of faith. After joining the alliance, he got connected to others around the country, and also more involved in his local church. Mission First Alliance is a national gospel focused first responder alliance, bringing Real Hope to those serving on the front lines each and every day. You can join this alliance too. Membership is free. You are not alone.
“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.” – Psalm 4:3
Together we can follow Bradley’s example, surrender our lives to Jesus, live Mission First for Him, and watch everything change.
God’s purpose for your life is to know Christ and to make Him known.
“Fulfilling God’s purpose is the only thing that really gives rest to the restless human heart.”
– Charles Colson
First Responders are very mission-driven, but do we clearly understand our mission and calling as Christ’s followers? Is our life even hitting the target? Jesus gives us a picture of what Mission First for Him looks like. While His invitation to “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) was specifically given to the disciples, Peter and Andrew, who worked as first-century fishermen, it was also an invitation given to you and me. Jesus clearly illustrates discipleship and defines our purpose and mission.
“Follow Me” – Jesus leads, and we follow. This is such a simple phrase and invitation, but when unpacked through all of scripture (our Christian manual) we realize the importance, weight, and life-changing impact it can have on our lives. Following means we recognize and accept that Jesus is Lord and Master of our lives. We accept His authority and His truth. This is a difficult and narrow road, but not one we walk alone.
“And I Will Make You” – As we surrender and follow, Jesus transforms us. When we submit our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit will transform our hearts, and we will become a new creation in Christ. We see our identity, mission, purpose, priorities, character, and fruit begin to change. “If your faith hasn’t changed you, it hasn’t saved you.”
(See 2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Fishers of Men” – We have been saved for a purpose. When we commit to follow, we join Jesus on His mission to love and reach a lost and hurting world. This is a call to action, our commissioning as ambassadors for Christ to intentionally go and make disciples, who make disciples. “The passion for souls that compelled Christ towards the cross begins to compel us, and we follow in His footsteps even where they lead us away from our own comfort or happiness so that we can devote our lives to winning the souls Christ has taught us to love” – Andrew Murray.
Mission First Disciples for Christ
Putting all three attributes together, we see that a disciple is a person who
is following Christ (head – our decision);
is being changed by Christ (heart – our transformation);
is committed to the mission of Christ (hands – our call to action).1
This is what is means to be Mission First for Christ – Christ, our head, our heart, and our hands.
