“These trials test your faith for purity and strength."
~1 Peter 1:7
Bobby had the guts and bluster of
men twice his age. Barely 17, he joined
a gruff, reticent breed of firefighters called Smokejumpers.
Smokejumpers spend their careers going to the wrong place at
the wrong time. They slam into rugged wilderness;
then fight massive wildfires with little more than hand tools. Known for their stamina and agility, they
quickly learn how to clutch tangled strands of adrenaline and drudgery without
losing their grip on life-and-death decisions.
On August 5th, 1949, the hottest day ever
recorded in Montana’s mountains, 15 cocky jumpers walked into the sky and floated
daringly into a fire they regarded as routine.
They landed at Mann Gulch about 800 yards from the
blaze. As the team began fighting the
blaze, unexpected high winds caused it to suddenly “blowup,” cutting off their
escape route and forcing them to sprint uphill.
It was never a fair race.
Despite a 100-yard head start, the slope was so steep the men had to
crawl as the firestorm chased them at the speed of a tornado.
Terrified, young Bobby abandoned his heavy gear and scrambled
for his life. The firestorm not only
blotted his vision with sheets of flame and torrents of smoke, but its savagery
approached with a roar like that of a train barreling out of a tunnel. In the confusion, the team failed to heed
their Captain’s plea to enter a makeshift safe zone, and continued frantically
up the hillside.
With fire pounding their backs, Bobby and his roommate
squeezed through a crevice as the inferno swept over the mountain and around
them. They waited, trying to breathe
what little oxygen remained on the fiery ridge.
He prayed.
Suddenly a calming peace surrounding Bobby; warmth radiated
through him. He later recalled God telling
him to be still and wait.
Eventually they outflanked the fire to the top of the
mountain and stumbled luckily into a rockslide on the other side. Through the silence, they heard weak cries below
as member of their team struggled for life.
In all, 12 veteran smokejumpers died that day – only the two
rookies and their Captain survived. A
watch belonging to one of the dead was later recovered, its hands frozen at
5:56, just 16 minutes after the “blowup.”
After identifying his fallen comrades, young Bobby would
jump again. He’d use his experiences as
a motivational speaker to encourage others facing life-threatening situations.
“May we all be as brave
as those young men and women as we face our own trials by fire.” (Tom May)
Trials and troubles are a necessary part of the Christian life. They reveal our character and the genuineness
of our faith. Pressure shows us where
our weak spots are. Be joyful; live with
eternity in mind.
Lord Jesus, when all is darkest and we feel weak
and helpless, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your
protecting love and strengthening power, Amen
