They say truth is stranger than fiction must have known something about coincidence also.
I think you’ll agree with that phrase. Well, maybe sometimes.
In a troubled word, you can still find heroes.
Heroes that make a difference and sacrifice.
Everyday heroes who out of their way to accomplish something big, often beyond themselves.
And `i’d like go share something with you that was triggered in an odd way.
It seems that sometimes while watching TV, events that get reported strangely catch our attention or we simply ignore them.
Airplane crashes seem to attract me somewhat depending on the horrific circumstances and the allure of danger.
One current tragedy involves an airline crash in San Francisco. You probably remember the details more than I can.
They news reports that the Airlines offered victims $10,000 for their pain and suffering. Hmmm…interesting by not too much. Controversial?
This act hit world news and went viral. Not too interesting but still newsworthy.
Strangely, a fiery crash of a helicopter in Okinawa had more meaning for me.
It goes like this.
On August 6th, 2013, a HH 60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed during a training mission. These US Air Force helicopters are specially equipped for rescue missions during combat missions.
Their crews are called para-rescue or para-jumpers and they are a tough breed of combat medics.
More than EMTs, they go beyond their job description to rescue downed crewmen to troops on the ground.
They are flying trauma centres, capable of treating wounded, extracting them from the most dangerous battlefields, often at the extreme risk of losing their own lives.
One such hero was 30 year old Tech Sgt. MS , assigned to a Rescue Squadron. MS was on a training mission in Okinawa. He had rotated out of Afghanistan as an unsung hero, in my opinion. During a combat rescue mission, a photo of his heroic actions went viral on the Internet as he clung to a commando during in an operation in Kamdesh, Afghanistan.
Despite blistering gunfire from rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire, he and his team came to the rescue of others on April 13, 2012.
In a brief moment of time, he dangled between aircraft and hoist to lift and safely secure his team and the commando, forever sealing his remarkable and heroic act.
The tragedy of it all was that MS died in a training accident in Okinawa.
Chances are, you’ve read this, “No greater love than to lay one’s life for his friends.” I think MS embodied this spirit in his work.
Chances are you have your own unsung hero or perhaps you are one yourself but will not admit it.
In your selfless giving, you have received. While the example MS set is admirable or not achievable by many, there are countless heroes in our lives.
Heroes like single parents who carry two jobs to make ends meet in a tough economy.
Parents or other who care as the little two year old LS who was the best man for his parent’s wedding.
He fulfilled their request happily and the act touched many.
Shortly thereafter, his selfless act completed, he spent his last breath with his parents.
But it’s the impact and difference people like MS and a two year old boy and many others leave with us—forever sketched in our minds and psyche.
And you need not look further than God’s Word for heroes who stepped out of their comfort zones to become heroic martyrs and soldiers for Christ.
Heroes like the apostle Paul, moving stories from tragedy to triumph.
Take Stephen, stoned for his belief and dedication.
Taken collectively, these heroes have shown no greater love, whether they were aware of it or not. The greater equation are the examples they lead and the legacy they leave behind.
You may not know it but you are or can be a work-in-progress hero.
Perhaps you’ve said and done something special for someone but didn’t notice it.
An act or deed of kindness or sympathetic gesture could have been the very thing someone needed.
Pray to God that you can be a hero to someone and there’s no special training or experience required.
Just jump into a personal relationship with God, trust the results to Him, have child-like faith, and show your love to others in thoughts, words, and deeds.
I hope that you do and become that special hero to someone.
It’s only a matter of time my friend to make a difference in our world.