The Reflexes Of A Hero

There’s no telling what this man was thinking. Maybe he was having a bad day. Maybe he was annoyed the woman was walking slightly in his jogging path. Maybe he knew this lady and purposefully pushed her.

What we do know is this. A man was jogging on a wide, paved path next to a busy London street. As he was jogging along he passed by several business people until he came upon a woman who was just barely in his path, but not enough to cause any serious problem. She even began moving aside to give him more room. Instead of running by, he moved towards her and pushed her towards the street. She fell backward with her head hanging out in the road, directly into the path of an oncoming bus. With only a fraction of a second to react, the bus driver swerved as much as the heavy traffic would allow, missing the woman’s head by mere inches.

The bus stopped and the passengers came out to help the woman. Her injuries were very minor. Amazingly, about 15 minutes later the same jogger ran by. The woman tried to speak to him, but he just passed on by without giving the victim or the situation any acknowledgment. Police are now looking for this man. London Police Sergeant Matt Knowles said it best, “The victim was put in extreme danger when she was knocked into the road. It was only due to the superb quick reactions of the bus driver that she was not hit by the vehicle” (MSN – Watch The Video Here).

Heroes are often defined in a variety of ways. What the bus driver did was heroic because of how quickly and decisively he moved. For Christians, this bus driver provides us with an awesome mold on how to help others.

1. He Was Watchful. If this bus driver hadn’t been watching, the situation would have been horrific. If he had simply looked down or off to the side, this story would be dramatically different. Instead, he was watching the road for potential trouble and he saved the woman.

In the church today we need people who are alert. Looking for those who are struggling. Watching for those who are hurting. Keeping an eye out for those who might need help (Philippians 2:4). Often the most crucial error we can make is being so focused on ourselves, or unimportant things, that we miss the window of opportunity (Philippians 2:3).

2. He Was Quick. There was no time to think. Even in the midst of traffic and with very little else he could do, he simply did as much as he could, as quickly as he could, to save this woman.

When someone is in need, the best response is a quick response. This doesn’t mean a rash or hasty response, but one that quickly fits and helps the need of the situation. Too many conversations are ended without an attempt to start a Bible study, or even to pursue a friendship with the person with the hopes of bringing them to Christ later. Too many people arrive at worship with depression, loneliness, and a bag of other issues and end up leaving the same way they came. While we have the opportunity to help, let’s respond quickly (Galatians 6:10).

3. He Followed Up. The driver could have just continued on his way. Instead, he stopped the bus. This caused the cars behind to slow down and stop, further protecting the woman from harm. Then people went out of the bus to give the woman any other help she needed.

Whether we’re trying to help someone who had a death in the family, the loss of a job, a move, or in a Bible study, far too often we give initial help then fail to follow up. When a death in the family occurs, sometimes the worst moments are a month or two down the road when seemingly everyone has forgotten. After a person is converted, they don’t instantly have extensive Bible knowledge or have deep personal relationships formed with others. They need someone to follow up to continue studying and building relationships. Whatever the situation, people need to be followed up with for long lasting positive results.

The Good Samaritan followed this same mold. He had his eyes open to help the man in need. He was quick to provide the initial help. He even paid for the man to receive care and came back to follow up with him later (Luke 10:25-37).

The church needs more Good Samaritans and people like the London bus driver. The church needs Christians with, if you will, heroic reflexes. Quick to help, heal, and save others. We’re all trying to help each other get to heaven. So, be a hero. Who knows, there could come a time when you personally need such a hero in your life as well.