Hi, welcome to Redeem the Commute. I’m Ryan, your host for the daily challenges.

Our daily challenges are meant to help you explore what it means to follow Jesus, even if you don’t have a lot of time. We have a rhythm that keeps us in sync, even if we’re not a community that meets together in person regularly. Every Monday we introduce the week’s idea. Every Tuesday we study it in the Bible. Every Wednesday we see how that challenges and transforms our thinking on the topic. Thursdays we try to apply and live it out. Friday is a day for prayer and reflection before we take a rest on Saturday, and Sundays we meet together with others in community.

Our series right now is called “We Are”. It follows on two other series – “God Is…” and “Jesus Is…”. Our attention now turns to us, human beings, and what knowing God and following Jesus actually means for our lives.

Think of typical firefighter. A truck, supplies, hydrants, full kit, boots. Now contrast their preparedness and defensive gear with those fighting forest fires in and near Fort MacMurray, Alberta!

Bush firefighters don’t have all the same protections. They sometimes parachute in with minimal gear, no truck, no hydrants.   They are protected by knowledge, experience, and outside help.

They know it’s not all about hem – rely on bombers, helicopters, etc. if they need a bail out.

Most of us don’t fight fires, but still have a hard time doing this in life. Often try to protect ourselves from every eventuality with security systems, insurance, RRSPs, etc.

But as the people of Fort Mac learned, we can’t protect ourselves from every eventuality. Sometimes forces outside our control take over. Like fire jumping a mile wide river.

With that fire, it got to the point that only a major rainfall could stop it. Nothing human. It’s in those moments we realize our human protections are nothing.

Question: How do people try to protect themselves in this life? When have you seen this work, or not?