This week my wife, Susan, was traveling to Minneapolis to attend her annual Creative Memories conference. My daughter Kristen and I had never been to Minneapolis so we decided to tag along for a few days and see the sights. We had no idea that we were going to witness an historical and tragic event.
On Wednesday, August 1, we decided to take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River. I had just purchased a new camera so I was snapping pictures of everything (you know how camera bugs are).
As the boat was turning around to head downstream, I took this picture. What you are looking at is the 35W bridge five hours before its collapse into the Mississippi River. After we returned to the dock, we crossed over this same bridge on our way back to the hotel.
We first heard the news about this tragic event at 6:15pm, approximately ten minutes after the collapse. Susan immediately emailed Jackie (our prayer team leader) asking for prayer for everyone involved. From our vantage point on the eighth floor of the hotel we could see a portion of the collapsed bridge as well as the fire and rescue vehicles on the scene. Cars and trucks were scattered everywhere on portions of the bridge and in the water as fire and smoke bellowed into the evening sky. People in the surrounding area were told not to drive on the streets so rescue vehicles could have easy access to the hospitals. Cellular phone signals were jammed as people scurried to gather more information desperately trying to contact their loved ones.
In the midst of this chaotic heartbreaking disaster people who had been involved in the incident and bystanders near the scene began helping those who were injured. Rescue personnel held cell phones next to the faces of some who were not going to make it giving them an opportunity to say good-bye to their families.
As we watched the story unfold on a local news station I began thinking about all these people who were willing to risk their lives to help others. “These people are heros,” I said to myself. Not special individuals with capes and supernatural powers, but everday people extending a helping hand to those in need.
As followers of Jesus we are called to live a life of action. We don’t have extraordinary powers and we can’t fly but we can help those who are in need. We are to come to the aid of those who are broken and broken-hearted on a daily basis, sharing with them the unconditional love and acceptance of Jesus. We are to reach out and help them in their time of need, asking nothing in return. It is my hope and prayer that the church will come to see itself as a group of everyday heros who are willing to risk whatever it takes to make a difference in the lives of others.
Minneapolis, as you struggle to cope with this senseless tragedy please know you are not alone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the victims and their families, and all those risking their own lives in order to save lives. We love you.
