Written by Loke Poi Ching
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
I stumbled upon an incredible story of quick thinking and selfless love that happened on April 4, 2018, in Michigan.
It was a dark night when a man stood on the edge of a bridge over I-696 in Detroit, preparing to jump. There was no time to deploy a safety net or set up specialized equipment—the drop to the freeway below was fatal.
In a moment of decisive action, Lt. Mike Shaw grabbed his radio and called for truckers. Within minutes, 13 semi-trucks responded to the call. They rolled into position, side-by-side, across every lane of the freeway, forming a massive wall of steel beneath the bridge. This act lowered the potential fall and, more importantly, bought negotiators precious time.
For nearly four hours, officers spoke gently to the man above while the engines rumbled steadily below. The truckers didn’t know his name or his story; they simply refused to leave.
As dawn broke, something shifted. The man stepped back from the edge. Officers guided him to safety—into a world where 13 strangers had spent their night refusing to let him fall. One by one, the trucks pulled away, disappearing into the morning light like quiet guardians.
When an aerial photo of that moment hit the internet, it spread worldwide—13 trucks in perfect formation, a geometric act of love. Lt. Shaw later said, “They didn’t do it for recognition. They did it because it was the right thing to do.”
Thirteen truckers had turned their rigs into a cathedral of second chances. This act made the saying that emerged from the story resonate so deeply:
“The most important cargo isn’t what you haul — it’s who you’re willing to stop for.”
The Lifeline That Holds and Directs
While reading the article, my thoughts brought me back to the earlier part of my Christian life, challenges were overwhelming and life was truly tough. I often felt emotionally exhausted and disillusioned, struggling to climb out of what seemed like never-ending. I am so glad then that I’ve got Christ, my Lord. I hung on to Him so dearly and desperately, clinging on to the lifeline that He holds and directs.
I prayed really hard, calling out to Him for comfort and deliverance every moment, every day. Then, these very verses gave me hope and a shoulder to lean on.
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
- “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 18:2)
- “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Looking back, now I know our Heavenly Father didn’t just throw me a buoy; He had a purpose—a job for me. 3 decades later, I realised that His answer to my struggle wasn’t to make the struggle disappear, but to shift my focus entirely to His purpose. This shift was crucial, so that I will not be entrapped in the snares of the fallen angel. The scripture reminds us to be vigilant and to keep the faith. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Leaving Little Footprints
I began to seek refuge in church and look for things to keep busy. As the congregation was still growing then, there were lots to do. I found solace in being early before service, doing the easy stuff, getting the building ready – unlocking, lights and air cond, hymn books, arranging chairs. Welcoming members and friends and venturing into sitting and buddying visitors. I recalled there was a church event and I made several trips in my 2-door Jimmy to bring my Nigerian BBC student with his group of friends, to and from from the bus station. Thinking back, so funny to watching them struggling to climb in and out of the car with their long legs. Weekly visits to new members’ and visitor’s homes and reaching out to the sick and bereaved in helping them to clean their homes. I remembered we visited a visitor’s house and helped her mom with odd jobs to meet deadlines on several occasions (assembling plastic flowers and stuff for distributors).
Without realising, the church was our family and home, for my daughters and me. We had so much fun, working, singing and growing with the members. We found a meaning and direction in life. Over the years, I have always thought my Lord has sent His church to save me. Little did I know, the little things that kept me busy from falling, had made little impact on the lives of others.
Unknowingly, I was leaving little footprints behind. Many, many years later and more recently, I came across reminders of the footprints that was laid:
- “Hey, you are Poi Ching from the Church of Christ. You sat with me when I visited the church a long time ago.”
- “I’m a Christian because of you. You were my BCC instructor.”
- “Teacher, Teacher, I always remember you teaching the 3 of us.”
- “You are the one who dragged us off to church!” (Visitors then, faithful Christians today).
- “I will always remember that you complained about the dog hair all over my house after we left for my mom’s burial—yet you still cleaned up. I will remember it till the day I die.”
- “You were the one who always brought my daughter back from youth church activity and youth supper.”
- “Thanks for taking and bringing me back from church. If I can walk, I don’t want to trouble you.”
- “My first memory of you was you singing at our wedding choir.”
With these little footprints, I realized that the actions that was meant to keep me going, had created some level of impact on the lives of others. These means a lot to me, ‘I must be doing something right’. The scripture reads: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40).
Let us Reach Out!
Coming back to the story, the truckers’ selfless act challenges us to examine the cargo of our lives. They demonstrated the meaning of Christian humility, prioritizing the desperate interests of one soul over their own personal gain or convenience:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4)
I do not know if any of the truckers that night are saved in the kingdom of our Lord but good people should have a place in heaven. Let us reach out as much as we can. Look out for opportunities and be ready for that call.
From my life experiences, I can vouch that God is not slack in His promises in deliverance. If it is not for Him and His providence, I will not be who I am today, happy and contended. With a humble heart, I want to share with you the little tips that have worked for me, hoping that it will help you in some way.
- Do not Fixate on the Struggle: When life is heavy, don’t let your trials and struggles paralyze or define you. Keep your eyes on the ultimate Lifeline: Jesus Christ. And if you have tried all ways to try and overcome your struggles and felt that you are not getting anywhere, turn that energy outwards and channel it into God’s purpose. Keep busy serving our Lord and His Church. Remember the strength that we have: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
- Keep the Faith Active: Do the work. Answer the call for service, no matter how small or mundane it seems. Our Lord set the example: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Mark 10:45)
- Expect No Earthly Reward: Serve out of love, not expectation. While we should not count the earthly deeds, we find assurance that our Heavenly Father prepares a place for us: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3).
- Prioritize the True Cargo: The truckers proved that the most important cargo isn’t what you haul—it’s the soul you are willing to stop for. Let our ministry reflect this immediate love and compassion, always prioritizing a person’s eternal need over our own momentary convenience or schedule. The true measure of our faith is our willingness to give without expecting repayment. Remember, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Let us be rock of refuge—the quiet guardians—that refuses to let a soul fall, assured that in ministering to the least of His brethren, we are doing it to Him.