“The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.” 2 Samuel 8:18
“WHAMMMM!” Suddenly.. I was STOPPED DEAD with no idea why! Looking around the windshield column, I realized I had run into a tree! The tree, with only about an 8” diameter, had successfully stopped my 1 ton truck DEAD, but received only minor damage! All I could do was join the tree and laugh! At the sound, Diane came out to see, then said it wasn’t the first time that tree had won!
Going to visit Diane and Bill, the road to their house was blocked by an appliance truck. So I had to find my way around. Not sure which street was theirs, I thought I recognized Bill sitting at a picnic table. Going about 3 MPH I turned my head to verify, when that evil tree just ‘jumped out’ and hit me! Diane asked if I was going to blame her! “Nah… It’s just stuff!” I said. Then we had a good visit.
Upon leaving I found that the bumper was bent in, rubbing the tire when I turned the wheel. Grabbing and pulling HARD, I just had to laugh, as I thought about adding ‘auto-repairman’ to my resume! On the way home I thought about how often ‘unseen objects’ swallow up so much of my thoughts and time. This morning, Katie read and reminded me of this verse! Was that Coincidental?
A die-hard Calvinist might say that God caused me to run into that tree for a reason! A silly thought for me to swallow. But knowing God is sovereign, He can USE my ‘running into that tree’ for a GOOD purpose. And maybe that purpose is to remind me that ‘stuff happens.’ But that He is ALWAYS there IN THE STUFF that happens! My purpose is to SEE Him there, and to glorify His presence regardless!
Are there seemingly unforeseen obstacles blocking your path? Do you find yourself stopped on life’s highway… not moving? Can you look at the ridiculous and laugh ‘by faith’ at the fact that God CANNOT be stopped in your life with Him! If He’s using this moment to try to get your attention… WATCH OUT for the trees and be prepared to remember that NOTHING can stop HIM!!!
