Sometimes, stories remind us that God places courageous people in just the right place at just the right time. A brave police officer by the name of Gloria West saves a man named Randy from a fiery truck in a daring rescue. Usually, when we see cars explode and catch on fire, it’s a scene from an adventure-packed movie–not in real life. But for Randy, one late night, his life became that scene. 

He was driving down the interstate in Ohio when he realized he couldn’t stop his truck. Fearing for his life, he drove his truck into a pillar. The crash caused his truck to catch on fire, and he found himself going from one life-threatening issue to another. He was pinned down with a broken ankle and couldn’t get out of his truck. He dialed 9-1-1, and his voice was shaking in fear. He told dispatch, “Tell my wife I love her, please!” 

But God wasn’t done writing Randy’s story. Officer Gloria West of the Columbus Division of Police arrived on the scene, her calm determination shining like an angel in uniform. With just a year on the force, Gloria didn’t hesitate. She knew Randy was going to die if she didn’t do something. Her voice was firm, and she told her fellow officers, “I am not going to leave him in there.”

Her body camera footage captured the incredible rescue. As flames threatened to overwhelm the truck, Gloria and her team worked quickly to pull Randy to safety. The heat was intense, but Gloria refused to let fear stop her. Once they pulled Randy from the flames, he was rushed to the hospital, injured but alive and well, thanks to the swift actions of Gloria and her fellow officers. Gloria herself suffered minor burns, but in the scheme of saving another man’s life, it didn’t matter to her. She was thankful she had done everything she could to pull him to safety. 

These moments remind us how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Randy’s life was saved because someone chose courage over caution. It’s not about having superhuman strength or endless courage—it’s about being available. We’re reminded that God doesn’t always call the equipped; He equips the called, like Gloria. And when ordinary people answer that call, extraordinary things happen.

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."