The red lights were flashing and the sirens were going off. The obnoxious “errrrrrgggggghhh” sound echoed throughout the halls as girl after girl stepped outside of her respective room.

The sirens and lights warned of danger, but still each girl looked to me, “Reba, is this real or is it only a test?”

As I walked down the hall, knocking on the closed doors I responded to each in turn, “It doesn’t matter, let’s get out ladies.”

All of the RAs had been briefed on this test, but we were to treat it as if it were the real thing. It surprised me that regardless of the sirens and the lights flashing, the girls still doubted and failed to treat the situation with the seriousness it called for.

As I corralled the ladies – some with backpacks, others with curlers still in their hair, all with that question on their face – I was dumbfounded. And then I realized, this situation exemplifies what we as humans do to God.

Every time we begin to get into a situation – whether it be with temptation or other everyday occurrences – we still question.
“God, is this a test or is it the real thing?”

Why do we waste that moment to question instead of following our spiritual instinct that tells us danger is around the corner? It doesn’t matter if it’s a test or the real thing; God’s grace provides us that internal siren for a reason – so that we can abide in him. It is an opportunity to be led from danger into safety and victory.

Our human nature leads us astray. We try so hard to get as close to the fire as possible without getting burned when what we should be doing is running as far away from the fire as possible.

There’s a reason the sirens in our residence hall are so ear shattering. One’s ears can’t stand the sound for more than a few seconds. The sirens scream, “Get out, as fast as you can, danger!” They don’t say, “Take a second to pause and figure out if this is a test then act from your own judgment.”

The same is true of the sirens and signals God sends our way, “This is no place for you. Follow me, my child, I will lead you to safety.”

The test with my girls was to prepare them for if a fire ever does occur. I care for their safety and am responsible for them. God cares for your safety and your well-being. He sees and values how precious and fragile you truly are. He is our protector and our rescuer.

Trust your father and run to him when those lights and those sirens begin to sound. Run right into his arms because that is where you belong, not amid the flames!

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

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