Have You Had a Near Death Experience?

Danny does a lot of driving. Between the motorcycle trips and the work trips, he’s on the road a lot. A few days ago he was headed to Little Rock on I30 and had a near death experience. He had gone over a hill and was in the far left lane (of 3 lanes) when a large pickup came into traffic from the on ramp on the right. The driver proceeded to keep going until she was coming into the same lane as Danny. He had nowhere to go, so he jammed on the brakes. It sent his car careening and he went off on the shoulder and the car shuddered back into the highway. As she drove by she nonchalantly waved her hand as he was still trying to gain control of the situation.  She drove on, content with herself.

Thankfully God provided the way out and Danny was able to get the car under control and back onto the highway. He did pull off on the nearest exit and catch his breath to settle his nerves.  He was worn out and shook up - partly because he had to work so hard not to wreck but also because the driver of the truck was so uncaring.

Some of us are like the pickup driver.  We are intent on going where we want to go; we’ve decided what we want and how we’re going to get it. So we just don’t care what happens to anyone else.  We are truly an accident waiting to happen, but as long as we get our way and drive on, we don’t care.

Others of us are in Danny’s situation. We are driving along, having a good trip, enjoying the ride and viewing the blessings when out of nowhere along comes someone or something barreling toward us.  We have nowhere to go, the impact is imminent and the outcome is certain. 

If we are the pickup driver in life, we need to slow down and ask God to make us more aware of those around us. We need to ask Him to teach us to love like He loves and travel with grace in the traffic of life.  If we only look out for Number 1, we’ll cause accidents and leave people wounded and dying in the ditch.  Even if we only look ahead, wave them off and go on, there’s a payday someday.

If we're the one who's the victim of the careless driver, we have two things we can do.  We can become bitter, refuse to drive again and stay home, lick our wounds and complain about the culprit. Bitterness breeds bitterness.  Or we can call the wrecker service, God's Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us look beyond the incident.  We have to know that regardless of what the mess looks like, we too will have a payday someday.  Our rewards don't come from the hand of man, but rather from the heart of God. It's like Charles Spurgeon once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages."

Oh beloved, God knows the near death experiences you’ve had. Someone has pronounced death to your marriage, your family, your job, your future, your ministry. They’ve driven into your lane and are intent on removing you from the roadway.  They’ve been careless with God’s love, God’s will and God’s Word. It’s a scene from a horror movie.

Except that the King of the Universe is your EMT.  He was on the scene before you got onto the highway. He was on the scene before the other vehicle entered the lane of your life. He’s staying on the scene with you for the rest of your days.

And if you will trust Him, He will take the hurtful wrecks of life and use them for His Glory and your good.  Never forget beloved that it’s not about you or the other person, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Just hang tightly to the Lord and let Him make provision for you. Your life is in His hands and that means your entire life. No one can swipe you out of God’s will because He loves you and He’s for you and it’s His will to keep you going and give you a life worth living for Him.

Isaiah 46:4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

1 Peter 2:15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

Isaiah 50:7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.

Romans 8:28 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Romans 8:31 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.