The Car’s On Fire

Chances are you didn’t wake up this morning and decide, “Today, I’ll be a hero.” Opportunities for acts of heroism rarely show up on weekly planners or “To Do” lists. Instead, they intrude into everyday life, demanding split-second choices at great personal risk. At least that’s the way it happened for my brother Ralph. One Sunday morning in the summer of 1998, Ralph steered his car out of the congested, post-service church parking lot. In the car ahead of him were two teenage girls. About a mile down the road, the girls halted their vehicle at a four-way stop, then proceeded carefully into the intersection as Ralph, his own car packed full with his wife and five small children, waited his turn to follow.
Without warning, a pickup truck sped through the intersection and slammed broadside into the car containing the two teenage girls. Ralph watched in disbelief as the driver, 17 year old Ashley, was thrown from the car and killed instantly. His disbelief turned to horror as the car burst into flames, trapping the unconscious 14 year old Amy inside. Ralph was suddenly out of his car and racing toward the burning vehicle. Somehow he managed to pry open the car door and, grabbing the belt loops of the limp and helpless teenager, freed Amy from the inferno. Soon after Ralph pulled Amy to safety, paramedics whisked her away to the hospital where she fully recovered.
Suddenly Ralph was the town hero. He saved a girl’s life! Congratulations began pouring in from all over town, including the mayor’s office. The local paper featured an article about Ralph’s selfless act. When I discovered what had happened, I called Ralph to express my amazement at his courage. I tried to imagine what had inspired this father of five to risk everything-his personal safety, his family, his life-for a girl he barely knew.
Finally I asked him the question that was eating at me: “What were you thinking? I mean, what was going through your mind as you approached that burning car?
“You know, Ron, Ralph replied, “I didn’t do anything that anyone else in my position wouldn’t have done. I don’t know how I did it. All I know is that when the car is on fire, you do whatever you have to do to get the girl out!”
People, the car is on fire and the youth are trapped inside. Suicide, abortion, alcohol, drug abuse, and violence are fiery flames licking at the wreckage of many young lives. The stakes are staggering-we have today the largest group of teens since World War II. This generation of youth has the potential to impact our world -- economically, politically, and spiritually. These young people are our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, grandsons and granddaughters, nieces and nephews. They are the future. We’ve got to get them out-whatever it takes-we’ve got to get them out.


Adapted from the book “Battle cry for a generation by Ron Luce
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