One Mississippi, two Mississippi

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I had a close call in a car this morning. Here’s the deal. I drive a lot, around 50,000 miles a year for work. So, I am probably more likely to be involved in a close call. But in spite of some of my family members errant opinion of my driving ability, I try to be careful. I have a lot to go home to.

This morning I approached a semi going slower than other traffic. There was a car behind the semi. I was approaching in the left lane. At the last possible second, the car changed lanes to pass the semi. My car ended up pretty darn close to that concrete barrier that keeps you in your lane. Those work. There was a pick-up right behind me and he ended up pretty close according to my rear view mirror – and I think it says “objects are closer than they appear”. So, I could not hit the brake too hard. The driver of the car finally ended up seeing me and swerved back into her lane and she did the polite thing and waved to say, “I’m sorry”. All good.

I found myself thankful that my dad taught me to drive. He taught me to count cars. Otherwise I would have never known the truck was behind me so I could not brake too hard. He also taught me to watch other cars. Paying attention to your own lane is good. But you have to pay attention to what is around you, or dangerous things can get too close. He also taught me about blind spots. Some adults do not realize you can hide a car in a blind spot. You can check your mirror, it doesn’t help. You have to check with your own eyes.

There were four drivers involved in this scene. I would bet the semi driver never knew a thing happened and he did nothing wrong. The rest of us all probably attribute avoiding an accident to luck, skill, or intervention. I’ll go with intervention. The whole incident took under two seconds. I’ve thought about it all day.

Jordyn’s wreck occurred in the span of about 325 feet. The portion of that prior to complete loss of control was under 100 feet. The last driving maneuver took an instant. In about 225 feet two kids died and lives changed forever. That night it took under 2 seconds. I have the KBI diagram at home. I have thought of it every day for 10 years.

Is God any less on the day the wreck happens than He is the day it doesn’t? Absolutely not. God saw four drivers this morning and had a plan in place for each of them. He had tried to slow me down all morning. I forgot to put gas in the car the day before. I stopped at our camper on the way to work – I rarely do that. Without either of those issues I am well clear of that moment on the highway. I think it happened this morning to remind me that He is who He says He is. And I am not. His plan 10 years ago is not one that I like. He is not required to seek my permission.

His plan and my knowledge of it only intersect at rare times. My lack of ability to comprehend does not impact His ability in any area. Be careful of someone who says they know exactly what God is doing? It happens, but its more due to His revealing it than to our ability. My lack of equivalence also says nothing of my worth. I am priceless to Him. So are you.

In this world what trouble are you having?

Do you wonder why bad things happen? Do you think God sees “bad” the same as we do?

Challenge: What lessons have you learned in life that could help you today? Do you have any blind spots? A good teacher can help you deal with those. Take heart!

Rick Claiborn