OPINION:
“You want to live in such a way that, when you act heroically, people aren’t surprised.”
This powerful quote has stuck with me in recent days as we’ve watched the impact of catastrophic Texas flooding that has killed more than 100 people, including dozens of children.
It was uttered by Jim Denison, a theologian and the founder of Denison Ministries, when I asked him in a recent interview about his friend, Dick Eastland.
Mr. Eastland directed Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River that saw the deaths of at least 27 campers and counselors. He lost his life while trying to rescue kids at the camp amid rising floodwaters — a final sacrifice that Mr. Denison and others said was unsurprising in light of his loving nature.
“I don’t know a more gracious, humble, servant-hearted person,” Mr. Denison told me. “In one sense, I wasn’t surprised when the news said that he had died trying to save some of the campers. That was just who he was.”
Paige Sumner, a former Mystic camper who was also close to Mr. Eastland, published a heartfelt piece detailing her own reaction to hearing that her friend had died.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,” she wrote. “He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic.”
Other hero stories have also emerged. U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskan has been making headlines, with the 26-year-old reportedly rescuing nearly 200 children and individuals at the camp.
PO Ruskan reflected on the harrowing experience in an interview with CNN, telling the outlet, “I’ve never seen anything this tragic in my life.”
The rescue swimmer stayed with many of the children above the flood zone until he was able to lead them in small groups to an aircraft, where they were rescued and taken out of the area.
PO Ruskan, recognizing the children’s intense fear, said he worked hard to ease their worries and even held their hands. He carried some of the young ones to safety to help them avoid slipping on the rocks or cutting their feet.
Understandably, the Department of Homeland Security later sent a message on social media hailing his actions and calling him an “American hero.”
“As catastrophic floods swept through Central Texas, Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan and his Coast Guard aircrew answered the call of duty without hesitation — saving 165 lives during his first rescue mission,” the department wrote on X. “The extraordinary bravery and selfless service of Ruskan and his fellow first responders embody the very spirit of the United States Coast Guard and the best of what it means to be an American.”
Other reports indicate that teenage camp counselors, too, helped ease the young girls’ fears and usher them to safety.
Each of these stories matters, and more will most certainly emerge as details become clearer. In the meantime, we must take away some powerful lessons from Mr. Eastland, PO Ruskan and all those who sacrificed so much in the midst of tragedy.
When we look beyond the fog of pain, horror, uncertainty and the unimaginable, we are met with these stories of monumental heroics – of people willing to risk their safety and even their lives for the sake of helping others.
In a culture that endlessly implores us to live for ourselves, these stories remind us that the ultimate form of love is the willingness to sacrifice — to put other human beings above our own needs and wants.
Some of the toughest Bible verses drive home this calling. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) is among the most convicting of Scriptures, with the verses reading: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Jesus’ earlier words in John 15:13, uttered before suffering death on the cross for the sins of humanity, also drove home the power of selflessness.
“Greater love has no one than this,” he said. “That someone lay down his life for his friends.”
The willingness of Mr. Eastland, PO Ruskan and other heroes to live in such altruistic ways offers a bright light in the midst of otherwise dark and tragic circumstances.
As we reflect on their sacrifices and acts of kindness, may we all “live in such a way that, when we act heroically, people aren’t surprised” as we seek out opportunities to serve others above ourselves.
This is the ultimate, countercultural form of valor — one to which we should all aspire.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
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