And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
— Philippians 1:14
On Memorial Day weekend in 2002, a barge pilot passed out and hit a bridge span of I-40 over the Arkansas River. The accident destroyed a 600 foot span of the bridge, and 14 unsuspecting people died as their cars and 18-wheelers dove over the edge of the missing span.
Several fishermen happened to be on the river in a bass competition when they saw the bridge collapse. Realizing that the cars and trucks were still coming, one of the fishermen below the bridge reached into his boat’s emergency kit for the emergency flare. Whipping the flare up into firing position, the fisherman shot up into the air.
That flare hit the windshield of the next 18-wheeler speeding down I-40 at 70 miles an hour. The shocked driver hit his brakes, and his front tires slid over the drop-off. Putting his truck into reverse, he pulled his wheels back up onto the bridge and warned the other drivers.
All it took was for one man to pick up his flare gun and fire it to save the lives of many. If it weren’t for him, who knows how many more would’ve died in the accident? In the same way, you’ve been given the “flare” of the gospel to save others. The question is, will you fire it? Live your life to share the life-saving message of Christ with others and just watch who gets saved!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the courage to share the life-saving message of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know Him. And pray that He would save those who are headed over the edge into eternity apart from Him.