Heroes from the Heart. Little Light of Mine, Conclusion

Have you ever tried to hide a flashlight that has been turned on? Under a blanket, the light can still be seen. Even if you shine it behind a closed door, you will be able to see the light under the door. Nothing can stop that light from shining!

Some of the folks living in Grand Marais, Michigan, knew what this meant. On November 14, 1919, the H.E. Runnels, a 178-foor steamer, found itself stranded near this Michigan town. The weather was frigid, 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrr! No wonder that ship was quickly covered in ice. The seventeen poor sailors stuck on board had nowhere to go, for their power lifeboat refused to function.

Nonetheless, help was on the way. Several crewmen from the Coastguard, along with some volunteers from a nearby sub chaser, rowed out to the H.E. Runnels. They were able to make three trips in total, and each time, they were able to bring a few sailors back to shore. Each trip was an experience of its own, however. Many of the rescuers found themselves washed overboard, and they had to be rescued from the frigid Lake Superior waters as well. By the time they had completed their third trip, too many of the rescuers were either injured or suffering from exposure, and the Coastguard was forced to call off any further rescue attempts.

The rest of the crew on the steamer were doomed, until some men from town stepped forward, that is. Hopping into the rescue boat, they fought the elements to save the remaining crew. When they finally reached shore, they were literally frozen to their seats, and they had to be chipped out of the rescue boat. One of these brave rescuers was Ora Endress, the captain of South Shore, who had himself been rescued seven years earlier. He had personally experienced despair. Is it any wonder they received the Gold Life-Saving Medal for bravery?

These brave folks shown forth as a bright light to those who were perishing on the H.E. Runnels, and none of the steamer's sailors would ever forget the courage of these people of Grand Marais, Michigan. Would we be willing to risk our lives for others? Or would we prefer to not find ourselves frozen to the seat of a rescue boat? A cup of hot chocolate in front of the TV looks like a much better plan, don't you think? Or . . .

Have we buried our light in a box where no light can shine forth? If so, are we truly followers of the Light? Remember, the Light that came into our world was also mocked and ridiculed. It couldn't stop Him from shining, however, even when He was persecuted by those who proclaimed to have the Light--The Pharisees and Sadducees. Then that Light went even a step farther: He allowed Himself to be crucified. Even then, He was shining (See Luke 23:34)!

One property of light is that nothing can stop it from shining. The sun wouldn't be the sun if no light was forthcoming, and all life would disappear. The same is true for us, the followers of the Light. We either shine or we don't. But if we don't shine, are we truly following in the footsteps of the Light? Maybe it's time we start to think less about ourselves and more about the difference we can make by coming to the rescue of someone in need.

"My bottom is so cold, but it was worth it!"

What about your bottom?

Rob Chaffart

Heroes from the Heart. Little Light of Mine, Conclusion

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