I learned a few weeks ago about a life-saving incident my 17-year-old grandson was involved in this summer. He told me that the incident occurred when he was vacationing with family on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, near Myrtle Beach, SC. He iterated how while swimming and playing in the ocean with one of his friends, they both noticed the tide was surreptitiously carrying them away from shore and out to sea. They both quickly thought it best to start making their way back to the safety of the beach and out of the riptide currents which were being produced by a large storm out at sea. As they started into shore, my grandson said he heard the cry of someone farther out in the churning waters. He told me, at that moment, he had to decide if he was going to swim back out into the deeper water to attempt to save this person in distress or ignore the cries and head back to shore.
My grandson chose to do what he could to help the victim. He immediately turned back away from shore and began swimming to the person in distress approximately 20 yards further out. The riptide was quickly taking the person out to sea and my grandson too. My grandson said he could hear the lifeguard on the beach blowing her whistle to warn about the riptide currents but did nothing to assist in the rescue of this person in peril.
Singlehandedly, my grandson quickly approached the victim and learned the person was a young man/teenager about his age. The victim could not touch bottom and did not know how to swim in the ocean. He was barely treading water and exhausted from fighting the waves. My grandson said he told the victim that he had to calm down and had to trust him that he could save him, but if the victim panicked and tried to latch on to him, they both would drown. He told the victim, that he was not going to allow the victim to drown them both, so if he relaxed, then he could trust my grandson to save him. My grandson trusted in his abilities and had to trust the victim would not panic, while the victim had to trust that my grandson could rescue him from drowning. Life-saving trust was being applied by both people in that harrowing experience on that fateful day.
Fortunately, both the victim and my grandson kept their wits about them, the victim relaxed, and they each trusted the other to cooperate to facilitate the rescue. My grandson was able to grab the victim’s hand/arm and slowly the pair began swimming parallel to the shore. My grandson found a current going into shore which allowed them both to move closer to the beach until the victim could touch the bottom to ensure he was safe. Both rescuer and victim were totally exhausted by the time they both safely made it back to shore many yards further down the sandy beach.
By the grace of God, they both survived. Life-saving trust was apparent in both my grandson and the victim that day which enabled them both to live to tell the story. The courage of a young teenager to see and understand the situation, bring his Boy Scout life-saving training into practice, and decide in seconds to risk his own life to save someone else in peril, is beyond words to fully describe. But that is the definition of heroism; to see the danger, assess the personal risk, and yet despite the imminent peril, take the action to save someone else in distress. Trusting in one’s capabilities is key to offering someone else to put their trust in you.
We see a similar situation of life-saving trust in the New Testament. As described in Matthew 14: 25-33 – “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
We don’t know why Peter trusted Jesus at first but lost his faith while walking on the water towards Jesus. Did Peter not trust Jesus enough to keep him afloat and out of trouble on the water? Were the storm and waves too much for Peter to ignore and panic took over because he did not know how to swim? Nevertheless, as Peter was sinking into the depths of the water, Jesus reached out and brought Peter to safety back in the boat. As Jesus said in the passage, “…why did you doubt?”, shows how the disciples were still not convinced who Jesus was and the power that He possessed.
Are we any different than the disciples regarding our faith in Jesus? When the storms of life strike, many of us doubt the capabilities of others to help us get through the storm. We believe we can apply our own knowledge and skills to resolve the situation regardless of the circumstances. We are more likely to use prayer as a last resort rather than first turning to Jesus for His help and guidance. Why don’t we trust Jesus enough to help us? Why do we wait so long, even up to the point where we are physically and mentally exhausted from the trying to find the solution, do we finally cry out to Jesus for help? Fortunately, He is always there for us.
Trusting in Jesus is a life-saving event for our eternal souls for which He offers each one of us at no charge. Only Jesus can save our souls for all eternity if we just put our faith, hope, and trust in Him. It’s just that simple, yet so many people deliberately refuse to put their trust in Jesus. Although they cannot save themselves from their dreadful situations, they choose not to grab on to the only true “life-preserver” available in their lives, Jesus Christ, to help them get through it.
Give up the self-pride and choose to live. Don’t become a “drowning victim” who believes you can always save yourself by your own actions. Surrender your doubts and fears and put all your faith and trust in Jesus to help you. Choose today to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your personal “lifeguard”, who you can trust to save your soul for all eternity.
I am so grateful to the Lord for being with my youngest grandchild that day protecting him as he courageously risked his life to save a young man from drowning. In all my life, I have never personally known a true hero until now. I am so proud of him, not only for what he did, but also for who he is. My grandson just recently achieved the ultimate rank in the Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout. He truly is one of the “best of the best” in America and in my life.
Live, Learn, and Grow in Jesus!!
Blessings,
Jerry
