I was talking to someone last week about the type of person they wanted to be, he told me that he wanted to be the kind of man that runs towards the fire, not away from it.
That really resonated with me in today's climate. That's a rare person indeed. Of course we all imagine ourselves the hero but when the flames are pouring out of a window, are we that person?
I'd like to think I am too. I was driving down the 33 a while back and I saw a house bellowing smoke off of one of the ramps. It was close so I pulled off quickly and followed a couple side streets to a house on fire. No response team was there yet. The fire was moving along, flames licking out some of the windows with a lot of smoke. It wasn't a great part of town, many of the houses looked abandoned, this one included. I called 911 and named the address. Help was now on its way. It weighed on my mind that someone could be in there, unconscious. I was torn about going in to check, even going up to the door to see inside. Would I be a hero or would I be stupid? I didn't know what I was doing. With no apparent distress I decided against it and watched. Help did arrive soon after and I watched as the teams did their work. I didn't stay long to see anyone pulled out but I have wondered ever since, was someone in there? Could I have made a difference? I'll never know.
Maybe it's fear and self-doubt that keeps us back. Self preservation? Complacency? Maybe something else?
There are all sorts of proverbial fires that call us to action; fire with the family, relationships, work projects, life purpose, emergencies, etc. Do you want to be the kind of person who runs towards the fire? Or from it?