Faith, Character, And Courage
PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND
January 18, 2023
FAITH, CHARACTER, AND COURAGE
Tuesday, New Year Day, Purdue’s super fan Tyler Trent died at the age of 20 after a heroic battle with a rare form of bone cancer. His story reached every corner of our nation and beyond. He remained strong until the Purdue football team finished their season with a bowl game in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 29th. Through the generosity of the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, he was able to attend the game.
At both the Purdue men’s home basketball game on Thursday January 3rd and the women’s home game on Sunday January 6th there was a tribute to Tyler followed by a moment of silence before the start of each game. During the game there was a tribute by the President of Purdue, Mitch Daniels. President Daniels remembered Tyler for his faith, his character, and his courage.
During his final days Tyler was made a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor that can be bestowed on any Hoosier. On December 6 he was presented the Disney Spirit Award for 2018. Tyler said in his acceptance speech “A year ago, I prayed I’d have the opportunity to share my story. And now that’s come true.” The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment has been established at Purdue to support cancer research.
The Tyler Trent story reminded me of another Hoosier whose life ended far too early but whose faith, character, and courage inspitired our nation and beyond, Ryan White. When Ryan was thirteen he contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. He was given six months to live. When he wanted to return to school he was denied admission because of his illness. As a result he became the poster boy for those suffering from AIDS and the need for research to fight it.
When he died in April of 1990 more than 1,500 people attended his funeral at the Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. As a part of the service Elton John sang “Skyline Pigeon.” In his remarks the Rev. Bud Probasco said that the family had been praying that God would heal Ryan. While Ryan was not healed of his disease, God did give a miracle. The miracle was Ryan himself. “He healed a wounded spirit in the world and made it whole.”
The suggested Epistle reading for Christmas 2018 comes from Titus. In part it says “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.” (Titus 2:11, 12) The story of Tyler Trent and Ryan White inspire us and challenge us to examine our own priorities and values. Their character and courage challenge us to live lives that are sensible, ethical, and godly.
Tyler Trent’s story is also a reminder of our common humanity that transcends any differences we may. During the pre-game warm-ups Thursday night the Iowa players wore shirts that said “#TylerStrong.” The day before the Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said in interview. “The players wanted to do it, and I’m really proud of that. It’s something that’s very close to me. (He lost both parents to cancer and has a son who had thyroid cancer.) When we look at him and the way he handled himself … it was so inspiring to others who are going through the same thing. We wanted to honor him.”
This article was originally published January 13, 2019.