Resurrection Series

From the Ashes

Week 6 - Resurrection

Scripture: Luke 24, Job 38-42, 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1:20

Introduction

Over the last several week where we have been together, we have been learning how to recover after something happens that seems to reduce our life to ashes.

This morning, we will be talking about the final idea of coming out of the ashes when your life falls apart- the idea of resurrection.

About 20 years ago, I had an incident that I thought was going to reduce my life to ashes- make all of my hard work seem like nothing.

Many of you know, I came from a very broken home, and have a history that took me from nothing to making something of my life, but it took a long time and a lot of hard work, but then something happened that threatened all off that.

Story about state investigation-

When I was a medic, I got promoted to field supervisor. At the end of one of my shifts, a message came in from dispatch that my crew were going to be taken out of service at 1pm the next shift for an investigator from the state EMS office to formally interview me. Apparently, an anonymous complaint had been filed with the State EMS office requesting a formal call review and suspension of my paramedic license.

Now if you had a message like that, it’s going to cause you a bit of heartburn right?

I mean, the state inspectors can walk in and immediately revoke or suspend your license and you’ll have to wait months for a hearing, and meanwhile you can’t work as a paramedic. Nursing has a very similar system set up, but much more circumspect.

So I had 72 hrs pondering a couple of questions-

1. What did I do?

2. What call was it that sparked the complaint?

3. Who filed the complaint?

Of course, I’m thinking the worse when I put my uniform on that morning- this is the last time I’m driving to work in Lake Geneva, this is my last ambulance shift ever, and I’m going to have to go back and do minimum wage work again to support my family.

I’m kind of thinking it’s my Friday afternoon. Just like Jesus suffered and died on a Friday, I’m thinking (metaphorically) Today I’m getting crucified and I’m not coming back down alive.

1pm rolls around and I see a familiar truck pull into the station. Out pops Cathy, a former coworker who I helped train as a new paramedic to our company and was my partner for a while. We were still good friends even though she had moved on in her career.

She was the state inspector.

She runs up and gives me a big hug, and apologizes for taking my time with such a stupid complaint.

The scenario that generated the complaint-

4th of July Weekend and 6 kids, all 16 and 17 were driving north up Hwy 12 to East Troy to see a concert at Alpine Valley. They took the corner coming out of Lake Geneva on Hwy 12 a little fast, and skidded into the ditch, came to a complete stop, but then the gravel gave way and they gently rolled over back onto the wheels. 911 was called, and we were the first ambulance on scene.

All the kids were out of the vehicle, walking around and laughing- no injuries. But, since they were all underaged with no adult to sign them off, they need to be transported to the ER for evaluation. Since they had to injuries, I used the new protocol that said even though they were in a rollover car accident, they didn’t need full spinal precautions, so between me and the cops we could get all 6 kids to the hospital and not tie up more Ambulances as it was insanely busy.

Apparently, someone on the volunteer fire department that showed up late had a fit that we didn’t fully collar and backboard all of the kids, and open a life safety disaster box for multiple casualties.

I explained my side of it, Cathy held up a copy of my report of the incident and says, “Yup, that’s exactly what you said here. Then she laughed and tore up the complaint in front of me and told me not to worry about it- wouldn’t even appear in my file.

I shared this testimony at our Friday Night prayer meeting, and someone told me, “Man, you went through a Friday night thinking you were died and hopeless, only to have the stone rolled away on Sunday and be resurrected”

Maybe it’s a little hyperbole, but it still kind of fit the experience.

Resurrection is a huge theme in the Christian Faith. In fact, most theologians would say it’s the central theme.