Many times people make lasting impressions on our lives as they walk with us through the ever-increasing complexities of this world. Often these are normal people who do not consider themselves to be role models. They may be teachers, neighbors, friends, or a co-worker with whom we make daily encounters and watch how they act. Each of these persons help to develop our character and mannerisms as we subconsciously emulate what they do. 
    
Having just finished a study on the book of Mark in the bible, I was reinforced in the fact that Jesus was the ultimate role model. This account of Jesus' ministry shows the servant attitude of the greatest leader the world has, or ever will, know. Jesus taught his disciples to act with humility. In Mark 6:8,9 Jesus sends the disciples out to minister with these instructions, "8He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts - 9but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics." Jesus' instructions were not only so that they would find that God would provide, but also to prevent his disciples from showing wealth and power. Jesus wanted them to be able to truly identify with the people that he sought after, the poor and forgotten of society. Jesus knew that all eyes would be on the disciples as they spread his teachings and wanted them to be appropriate role models.

Often times firefighters are seen as role models and or "heroes" to children and others in the public. As a Christian firefighter I may not be a "role model" for my co-workers but I am often watched and privately critiqued. This is an opportunity that I know will follow me throughout the rest of my life. As Christians we know that the world watches us. How many times have you heard a non-believer give a reason for not going to church because of all of the hypocrites. I know that this is a reality because the words travelled across my lips (more than I care to comment on) before I knew where I was really supposed to be...in the church.

Jesus spoke of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees as documented in Matthew 23:25,26. Jesus says, "25Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

The date has changed, but the times have not. We still live in a world that is as crooked as it was in Jesus' time. I have a hope in my salvation through Jesus Christ. This means that I cannot allow my actions to go unchecked without feeling repercussions from the spirit. Every time I act in a manner that I should not, I feel convicted to repent of it and work to keep from doing it again. However, I am a human and I will be working very hard to get this right all of my life.

Leading by example is a reality for me every day as not only a Lieutenant in the fire department, but also a Christian in the fire department. I always strive to be the hardest working guy on the fire ground. As a young firefighter I pushed myself to learn about every aspect of the service that I could use to serve. I have compiled a list of certifications that show that I am competent to be a firefighter. I did this so that I would know inwardly what I needed to be able to outwardly accomplish the tasks. If I didn't know what I was doing I would be labeled as a "fake" or a "wannabe" firefighter. Jesus charge to the Pharisees applys in the same manner to all Christians. Get right on the inside and you will be right on the outside. If you are not right on the inside HE will know that you are a fake. Jesus has made me right on the inside. I hope that through the fire service I can help others to become cleaned as I have. I hope that I can achieve a level of servanthood that allows me to see my opportunities to serve.