First Responders- I Want To Be One

I admire First Responders. I think because I know I could never be one.I can’t imagine the responsibility of being the first on the scene of an accident and having to assess the situation and respond accurately.Never mind the fact that I faint at the sight of blood. It would not be good.While I could never be a first responder, lately I’m becoming more aware of my need to have the proper first response.In many situations recently, I’ve noticed that my first response is usually not what it should be and I end up having to go back to reevaluate and respond correctly the second time.Case in point. I had plans to spend the day bike riding. When I went down to unlock my bike, my key would not work. Rather than a godly first response that would acknowledge God as the director of my day and decide He had better plans for me, I felt frustration taking over my thoughts and my actions.When someone asked me to complete a task I didn’t want to do, my first response was to think to myself, “I don’t have time for that. And it’s not as important as what I had planned.” As soon as I thought it, I had to reevaluate and formulate a better second response which said, “Sure. It’s not what I had planned but that’s okay. I am happy to help with whatever you need.”I’m discovering my first response is usually a selfish one. Given time and another chance, I’m fairly good at correctly responding the second time around. But I hear the Lord reminding me that my first response should be the one that is pleasing to Him.So, my prayer these days is that I would get it right the first time. That, indeed, I would be an excellent First Responder after all. Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts.Point out anything in me that offends you,and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139.23-24