When I Grow Up

A popular question to ask children is, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The answers are as varied as the children themselves. I don't know what the answers would be today, but when I was growing up common answers you would hear were occupations like a police officer, fireman, and professional athlete. It is understandable. The attraction of wearing a uniform, driving in a police car or fire engine with there blaring sirens and flashing lights or hitting the winning home run, scoring the winning touchdown, or making the winning basket was enough to preoccupy a kids mind indefinitely. For some, they do make into these professions and they would all tell you that it was not easy; having gone through many struggles and setbacks to achieve their dreams. However, one thing that children do not know is the downside of these occupations. Aside from the dangers involved with being a police officer and fireman or the physical toll on one's body for being a professional athlete, what do those involved in these occupations actually do? According to one definition, a police officer is a "peace officer whose duties primarily involve the enforcement of laws." A fireman, or firefighter, is a "highly skilled man or woman who works to combat and extinguish fires. They also take steps to prevent fires, act as emergency medical technicians (EMT), and investigate the causes of fires." A professional athlete "is a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise." I might add that athletes also engage in highly skilled athletic competitions against each other. But, as we all know, not every child grows up to achieve their dreams, much less be one of the few who become a member of the professions mentioned here. Sadly, for those who both chase their dreams and fail as well as those who achieve their dreams, there is often a high price to pay. We have all experienced the disappointment that comes with failing to achieve our dreams and goals. But, for those that achieve them, they can realize the cost of doing so is more than they are willing to pay. "Compared to national averages, police officers face divorce rates averaging between 66 and 75 percent. The police profession has the highest rates of divorce, alcoholism, domestic violence, and suicides (S.P. McCoy/M.G. Aamodt)." As for firefighters, a 2018 study concluded that "rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorders among firefighters have been found as much as five times higher than that of the general population (Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance)." As for athletes, according to Hee Jung Hong, of the University of Sterling, "Depression, anxiety, and alcohol and substance abuse are all common problems. And bear in mind that retirement age for these people is not late in life - usually, it's in their early 30s or even earlier."

These are the things that no kid knows to think of as a child nor should they. However, there is something that few children dream of becoming that could fulfill their goals and assist those who struggle in life. That would be to become a born again Christian by placing saving faith in Jesus Christ. As a Christian, they can become a sort of police officer who enforces the law of God. 1 Timothy 1:8-11 tells us, "We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God." In this way, you can lead people to faith in Jesus Christ by showing them that they are in violation of God's law and that He is their only means of forgiveness and salvation available. If a person desires to be a firefighter, being a Christian can help meet that desire as well. Jude 1:22-23 says, "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." Like a firefighter, you can snatch a person from the flames of hell by telling them about the hope you have received through your faith in Jesus Christ. Their spiritual building is on fire and you can be there to rescue them from a fate worse than death. If you are one who still has those competitive fires burning that most athletes struggle to gain relief from, being a Christian has something for you as well. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul writes. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." One of the struggles we face as Christians is the constant battle to discipline ourselves so as not to fall into the temptation of sin as we live our lives as a testimony to Jesus Christ. While we are not perfect in our behavior, we are stuck in the middle of a lifelong competition between the sinful desires of our flesh and trusting in and depending on our God to live His life through us. If you are a Christian, God has found a way to help you achieve your childhood dreams and at the same time be used by Him to serve others in love as a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.