This Is Not A Drill!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

During my years of teaching in the public school system of Georgia, it was required that we have a fire drill each month. These drills were set in place to teach students how to leave whatever they were doing, line up, and silently follow their teacher to the assigned meeting place outside the building. The staff was usually given a “heads up” that the drill would take place on a certain day, but the students had no idea. Some students screamed, some cried, and some covered their ears, when the alarm began to go off, but with practice, they knew what was expected and drills were pretty uneventful. Teachers counted heads to make sure all the students were with us. There was always someone who checked every room and all bathrooms as the building was being vacated to assure that no one was left behind.

I give this background to tell this recent event. Randy and I were in Charleston for a couple of days a week or so ago with friends, and we were staying in a hotel near Mt. Pleasant. After breakfast, as we were in our room getting ready to head out for the day, the fire alarm began blaring. My first thought was that they were testing the alarm system, so we just dismissed the alarm and continued getting ready. When it didn’t stop, I looked out the window and people were streaming out of the building and gathering outside the hotel. My words to Randy were, “This is not a drill. Let’s go!”

As it turned out, a car in the parking garage caught fire, and the hotel was evacuated. It was not a drill!! As I began to think about the alarm sounding, I kept wondering why we hadn’t acknowledged it?? Then, it hit me, there was no automated voice saying, “Please evacuate. Please use the stairs. Please leave in an orderly manner.” There was no one checking rooms to see if everyone was out safely. No one counted heads outside to make sure they weren’t missing a guest. I kept thinking, “I hope everyone inside knows this isn’t a drill.”

Sometimes we live our lives believing that things that go on around us are just a drill, but in reality these everyday occurrences are becoming emergencies. For example, the things that are happening in our nation are not a drill! Government and society has already banned prayer in schools, the ten commandments are rarely heard or acknowledged, and if it is allowed to continue there will soon be no In God We Trust on coins. This is not a drill, it’s an emergency.

In order to be able to handle situations that are not a drill, we have to be prepared. Just like a fire drill, our spiritual lives have to be ready to handle the emergencies that come our way. We prepare for emergencies in our everyday lives by keeping emergency numbers such as doctor, family, fire, etc. close at hand. We try to be vigilant about our surroundings and situation. Now, the question is, “Are we that vigilant about our spiritual resources and needs? Do we focus on the spiritual resources that God provides such as church, small groups, and Bible study?” Base your preparation on faith, not on fear, and be prepared.

Next, we need to remember how God would want us to love and care for those around us. Just as a teacher would make sure every student is present and accounted for, we need to be about His business of loving and caring for those who need us. We never know the pain or loneliness in the life of others until we reach out and offer God’s love. Remember to check on others so no one is left behind.

Finally, we need to practice the things we know to be true. During our emergency, the safety measures we had practiced so many times came naturally. We knew to use the stairs, we knew to find a meeting place outside, and we knew to wait to hear that it was all clear. Just as we practice fire drills so that the safety measures are instilled in us, we should practice being prepared to defend and uphold our faith, and we should remember to be there for others.

There are many things in our lives that are not a drill! Maybe it’s our family, maybe it’s our social lives, maybe it’s our health, maybe it’s our emotional situation, maybe it’s our finances, or maybe it’s our spiritual life. We think we aren’t living in a emergency, but would we know what to do if it became one? There is a great difference between a drill and an emergency. We can repeat a drill many times, but in an emergency every minute is a gift from God, and what happens in those minutes can be the difference between life and death. So be prepared and remember to check on others!

Here are a few examples of a fire drill for the Christian. “Be orderly when we face the trials of life. Don’t panic but walk in faith. Follow and obey Christ. Protect our health, safety, and loved ones so that we can continue to serve. Trust God for guidance.” (copied)