FIRE TRUCKS
AND BUSINESS SUITS
Every once in a good long while you actually see a bit of brightness in the midst of the pungent pessimism we call the news. Such was the case last week as I watched a bit of the news while munching lunch.
As I turned the channel and sat down for my ten minute fix of death and destruction, I was treated to the story of an honest-to-goodness hero. The story was about Canadians who were being presented with national medals for bravery. Unfortunately, I missed some of those being interviewed, but at least I was able to hear the story of Brent Merrill.
It seems that Brent was walking down Yonge St. in downtown Toronto, on his way to the office, when he heard the siren of a fire truck. He stopped to watch. Unfortunately, not everyone was as observant as Mr. Merrill. As the fire truck entered the intersection, a heavily armored Brinks truck bashed into the back of the fire truck. This sent the fire truck on a roll. Brent had a ringside seat as he saw this truck roll over, not once, not twice, but three times, before coming to a stop. To make matters worse, during the rough and tumble, the truck's gas tank ruptured and flames began to scorch what remained of the truck.
As Brent stood there, he could see that neither of the two occupants were able to get out of the truck because their doors had been crumpled beyond use. What would you have done in Brent's place? Here he was, wearing an expensive suit, with briefcase in hand, just walking to work like any other day and this drama exploded in front of him like some kind of a 911 rerun.
Well, Brent ran over to the passenger side and showed the fireman the way out through a broken window. The driver in much worse shape, was bleeding badly and very groggy. He continued to try and get out his side, not really noticing that help was available on the other side of the vehicle. Finally, the two men got the driver's attention. When he saw people trying to show him the way out, he reached out his arms and they pulled him to safety.
By that time, emergency vehicles started to arrive and the professionals took over. Brent picked up his brief case and continued on his way to work. As he entered the office building and walked onto the elevator, he noticed people looking at him. He really didn't think too much about it until he got to his office and realized he was covered with dirt and blood. Shortly after that the police showed up and interviewed him. The rest is, as you say, history.
Ok, so what do we learn from
Brent's heroic endeavor?
Life has a way of waking us up. And guess what, we all need wake up calls from time to time. In our normal mode of operation, we really miss most of what's going on in the world. Why? Because our minds are filled with the routine, with the backlog of yesterday's 'to do' lists that we're not sure we'll finish today. But then, in the numbing rhythm of the dizzy busy comes a bomb. Perhaps Brent's experience can serve as a reminder that life is much more dangerous, much less predictable than we think, or depend upon.
The dramatic display of Brent's experience had to elicit a reaction from those involved, but I wonder how may lives are crashing around us in quieter settings? There's the mother who just got a bad report from her doctor; the man three doors down who is trying to adjust to his wife's absence; the family a block over who've been evicted from their home. Let's face it, life is dramatic and full of surprises. Often we miss the opportunity to help those who are in need because we're preoccupied.
I can't help but look at the spiritual reality of our world. There are millions of people too confused, and too groggy to get out of the truck before it explodes. They keep trying to get out of the wreck they've made of their lives by pounding on the door in their own strength. But, what they really need is for someone to step in and show them the way so they can be pulled out before it's too late. Such is each Christian's duty. We are to do whatever we can to get their attention so that they can be pulled out of their wrecked lives by the One who is the Way out--JESUS!
The questions I leave with you this week are: How preoccupied are you? Do you take time to look for those who hurt, are groggy and in need of our Savior's help? Or, are you guilty of walking by the smoldering wreckage of those around you without stopping? May the Lord give us eyes to see and power to rescue.
If you have any thoughts, or comments, I would love to hear from you, just click on my name at the bottom of this page.
