stop drop and roll

you remember those little lessons in elementary school, don't you? where the firemen come in wearing their yellow, rubber pants with suspenders and hard hats with a big number on the front (and for us california natives, they would usually be accompanied by a big guy in a bear suit who would point at the classroom full of kids and say in a deep, growling voice, "only you can prevent forest fires")...

they taught us not to play with matches. they taught us the word 'flammable'. they taught us that when you smell smoke, you stop, drop and roll. and for us excessively bright students, we would go home and lecture our own parents on fire safety. because, well, we were seven and we knew everything.

ok, but the point is that we are taught that fire is not something to take lightly. it's easily and carelessly started - a cigarette flung from the window of a car, a candle left burning unattended, matches in reach of children. but not quite so easily extinguished.

and the damage? oh! the damage! houses and precious family heirlooms charred beyond recognition, official documents consumed by the flame, and so many lives! folks have lost parents, siblings, children and very dear friends to that great beast we call fire.

fire.

it's a small word with huge consequences.

as is sin.

in fact these two beasts are very similar.

sin, too, is easily and carelessly started. all it takes is a little pride and a little less self control. and next thing you know, it begins to spread. and just like a fire, it damages and chars whatever is in its path. be it your home, your work, your loved ones,.. or yourself.

unfortunately, sin prevention isn't taught in schools. we aren't taught not to play with spiritual matches. we aren't taught what actions or words may be 'flammable'. and I've never heard smokey the bear say that "only i can prevent succumbing to temptations"!

but we can still take smokey's advice. we just have to listen with christian ears. we were taught to stop, drop and roll whenever we smell smoke. i think this sound advice is just as applicable when we smell sin.

when we find ourselves in sin,... stop! stop whatever we are doing, saying or thinking. just stop.

then,... drop! drop to our knees and pray. seek His strength, His wisdom and His guidance.

and then,... roll. roll to safety. in a fire, we roll away from the smoke. in the face of sin, turn and walk the other way.

smokey forgot about the last step, though: to keep on keeping on. stay away from the fire, but don't hide your light under a bushel!

stop. drop. roll.
and walk on.