Timmy Reynolds saw the beginning steps of the mission taking shape. The clear and simple objective is to get the two captives to safety in an efficient and orderly manner. The best part, thought Tim, was the planning and preparation that went together first. He hurriedly jotted down the ingredients as the story unfolded:
1. Commitment - The S.W.A.T. Commander shakes his fist in front of him and tells the team, "We're going in there and get those two agents out no matter what!! Much of the mission will be under cover, but guys -- when we get in the open, we'll show those captors we know our job and how to do it!!"
2. Tactics - Everyone was briefed as to the plan and the part he and the others played in it. The tactics had been used with success in other missions. Slight alterations were planned and practiced in the event that changes were needed for mission completion.
3. Tools - Tim found it interesting that with only one exception, all the tools and weapons were old standbys. This choice of tools and the fact that the tactics had been time-proven procedures seemed to give the S.W.A.T. Team a great deal more courage.
In the story, one of the team members became surprised when the Team Commander started putting on his combat equipment. "Begging your pardon sir, but aren't you going to be back at headquarters?" "Lieutenant, when you're sticking your neck out, in the third phase of this mission, and you hear someone close by say, "LET'S GET 'EM! that'll be me right there beside you."
Tim quickly jotted down:
4. Leadership - Leader did not ask his men to do something he wouldn't do, and he was there to guide his men. Each team member had expressed his complete faith in the leadership which was the main reason why this group of men really worked well together.
So, Tim continued on with the story and didn't notice his dad, Leo Reynolds, walk into the den where his wife was trying to shorten some curtains. "Barbara, our son has been taking some notes about a story that has some striking parallels. TIM COME IN HERE AND BRING YOUR NOTES FOR THAT STORY!” He shouted.
When Tim came into the den, his dad was excitedly filling his wife in on the story. He continued with a lot of hand motions. "Suppose you changed the story to where the captives were the unsaved of this world. Our mission would then be to reach them with the Gospel of Salvation; that Jesus Christ, because of His power, could save them." "Dad, the first one is COMMITMENT."
"OK... Now Barb, if we are going to be effective and grow in this Tract Ministry, we are going to have to be committed to the work to be done. Do I honestly believe that the unsaved guy I work next to is destined to everlasting torment unless he trusts Christ as his Savior? Who am I kidding if I say, 'If I don't witness to him someone else will!'"
Barb was only half listening to Leo describe this "diamond" he had found. Barb's mind was already fitting together the next day's visit with her best friend, Nancy Gilton. Barb thought, "I can show Nancy that getting out in the open and being seen passing out tracts will not be scary, because we will be using techniques we've practiced, and that have worked well for others. We'll use a wholesome appearance, fresh breath, a smile and some well chosen tracts, whose message we understand. Nothing mystical about these tools..."
"Barb... Barbara, are you listening to me?" Leo asked, tapping her on the shoulder. "The best part of the whole thing, there are no surprises with God! He has control of every situation. If a person asks me a hard question about the bible, I can say, 'I like that question, what do you think about it? Then ask him if I can visit his home on Thursday and give him a good bible answer.'" "Leo, do you realize that God has placed the Tract Ministry in our hands, a task the angels aren't able to do?"
Tim moved over in front of the window and looked out. Only if you had been standing right next to him could you have heard, "Lord, I'm going to ask Darlene tomorrow to read this tract because it says some important things, things that I can't put into words, especially around her. Lord, I know You think she is special too, because You shed Your precious blood for her also."
Lord, I want to be on Your S.W.A.T. Team
S. Saints
W. Watching (for His soon return)
A. And
T. Tracking ~~
