Actor Chris Evans poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Captain America Civil War' in London, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
A six-year-old boy named Bridger has joined the ranks of the Avengers.
His aunt, Nikki Walker, recently shared his story on social media: “My nephew is a hero who saved his little sister from an attacking dog. He, himself, took on the attack so that the dog wouldn’t get his sister.”
Nikki continued: “He later said, ‘If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me.'” In a follow-up post, Nikki wrote, “After getting bit several times on the face and head, he grabbed his sister’s hand and ran with her to keep her safe.”
According to her social media posts, Bridger recently returned home from the hospital. She then wrote: “I know it’s a long shot, but I’m reaching out to the Avengers and other heroes so that they can learn about this latest addition to their ranks.”
Her post received this response from Mark Ruffalo: “Dear Bridger, I just read about what happened to you and I wanted to reach out to say this . . . People who put the well beings of others in front of themselves are the most heroic and thoughtful people I know. I truly respect and admire your courage and your heart. Real courage isn’t dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy. Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow. You are more of a man than many, many I have seen or known. With admiration . . . Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk/Professor).”
Chris Evans, who plays Captain America in the film series, also sent a video message: “I read your story and saw what you did. Pal, you’re a hero, what you did was so brave, so selfless—your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother. Your parents must be so proud of you.”
Evans told Bridger that he is going to send him an authentic Captain America shield as a token of appreciation. “Pal, you deserve it,” he said. “Keep being the man you are. We need people like you,” Evans continued. “Hang in there. I know recovery might be tough but based on what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s much that can slow you down.”
The cost of service
The Bible has much to say about those who pay a price to serve others.
- Consider Isaiah 58:10: “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”
- And Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
- Jesus taught us: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
- When we serve those in need, we serve our Lord as well (Matthew 25:40).
You and I will likely have several opportunities today to put others ahead of ourselves. In these moments, we can choose to love our Lord by loving our neighbor (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:24).
Isaac Watts noted: “Our Savior has taught us to put my neighbor in place of myself, and myself in place of my neighbor.” Let’s do both today to the glory of God.
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