Our First LINE of Defense
In February 2021, I moved to Austin. My son tried to persuade me to take a fourth-floor apartment because the wildlife habitat next door had a beautiful view. That view didn’t matter to me. I didn’t want to wait for an elevator, and I wanted an apartment easily accessible to my car.
I’m glad I followed my instincts. Within a few months living here, I heard the clamor of the loudest earthmoving equipment breaking through boulders and taking down trees. The new Texas Children’s Hospital would be our next-door neighbor.
Now the hospital is completed. It is a joy to know many children have this beautiful facility and team to bring them healing and wholeness. I wanted to volunteer there. I was interviewed and attended their training that included their first line of defense procedures.
The first line of defense is knowing where the fire pulls and extinguishers are, as well as knowing the color codes and alerts in case of security issues as well as many other emergency procedures.
In my personal life, I have known my absolute first line of defense when words I hear shake me to my core, like: “Your daughter has cystic fibrosis!” “Our house is on fire!” “Your mother only has hours to live!” “He was in a car accident!” I wish my first line of defense in all those instances had been “I will not be afraid. I believe God has me and He will work all things for good!”
A great lesson comes from Mark 5:35-36. Jairus, a synagogue leader, came to Jesus begging him to go with him to heal his dying daughter. As Jesus was going with him, people from Jairus’ house came saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?”
Here’s my favorite line (the first line of defense) from Jesus to Jairus when He overheard their words: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” I can visualize that setting — Jesus putting a finger up to his lips (“Shush — don’t speak!”).
“Why bother?” Isn’t that what the naysayers and doubters say and isn’t that what the enemy of our souls wants us to say? It’s the whisper we hear when the bad news comes. “Give up. It’s hopeless.”
Two little words change everything. “But Jesus.” His message is different. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” WAIT! Jesus isn’t finished. He took her by the hand and said: “Little girl, get up!” The girl stood up and began to walk around.” (Mark 5:41-42)
Above, I quoted lines from “my story”. “Your daughter has cystic fibrosis!” But Jesus — that little girl was dramatically healed, has a 5-½ octave vocal range and daily lives to share the good news of Jesus. “Our house is on fire!” Those were our daughter’s words when their home was burning. But Jesus — they were all safe, their insurance covered their losses, and they rebuilt the home.
“Your mother only has hours to live!” But Jesus — Mom recovered and lived a full life for another eight years. “He was in a car accident!” But Jesus — our son survived what could have easily been a fatal car crash.
Jairus’ “little girl” was his “But Jesus” moment. What is your “little girl” today? What is your first line of defense when those riveting times come? My first line of defense is Jesus’ words “Do not be afraid. Only believe.” It’s not over until He says, “It’s over!”