If you read yesterday's blog, you know who Tim Joyner is. He is the man whose truck fell into the shoulder, jerked his wheels hard to the left and capsized it instead. God kept me awake the whole night because if I were sound asleep, I probably would have valued sleep more than getting up, lighting candles and praying for him even if I didn't know his name or who he was.
I guess God did not want to end my story there. It was not enough that Tim Joyner's injuries were minor, that he was not in a critical condition. He wanted me to do more.
This morning, I was in Peter's bedroom still trying to tidy things up when John reminded me it's Sunday. He knows I could get so engrossed in something that I would be lost in time and space.
As I was getting ready for church, I heard John say that something about a man picking up things from the accident site. I said "Tim Joyner?" He said yes.
For once, we were early getting out of the house so I looked at the shed where John's mice were transferred. John saw a lizard and went back to the house to put it in the lizard's tank. On the way to the van, I saw the man (Tim Joyner) was still there so I told Ryan to tell his dad I would talk to the man and just pick me up there.
John said it's not proper for me to walk there so I got into the van. He stopped in front of Tim so I could talk to him.
I told Tim what happened, and how God made me pray for him. He said he's thankful that it happened near our place for we might not have heard it if the truck capsized on the other side. I told him how God gave me the sense of peace after I prayed; that I knew everything's going to be alright.
Who would have thought that someone not wearing a seatbelt, whose one foot was outside of the window while the other was in the windshield, who was unconscious the whole time, would be up and about the next day?
He took his hat off and I saw the bruises around his left eye and the forehead. It was nothing but a miracle. And then I told Tim Joyner the message God wants me to give him. I said "I just want you to know that He wants me to tell you this: JESUS LOVES YOU!"
My dear brothers and sisters, God wanted me to tell Tim Joyner how much Jesus loves him. He said that message is not only for Tim, but for each and everyone of us.
Truth of the matter is, Jesus loves you and me. I am sure you could recall moments when He has saved you or your loved one from something - a bad decision, accident, injury, hunger, poverty, from near-death experience.
That speeding ticket you've got and paid for was not to punish you, it's to save you from future accidents by paying attention to the speed limit. That 10-20% artery blockage could have been 90% requiring a by-pass surgery. Your broken heart may be depressing but aren't you glad you're not fighting over custody right now? You might have lost a son but you still have other children who needs your love and attention.
The list could go on and on. I didn't want a broken home but if I did not, I would not have met John and there would not be Jonei and Peter in my life.
My point is, let us not dwell on our pains and sufferings; on the what might have beens and what ifs. Rather, let's focus on what we have and the many blessings we've been given. They are the expression of God's absolute love.
If we know how much Jesus loves us, we would not keep it to ourselves. We would proclaim to to everyone; shout it out. He loves you -- so much that He sent Jesus to die in your behalf so you might live with Him in heaven. Go tell the world!
"Father, in my distress, it's You I call and You have not failed me. You've delivered me from death brought about by my iniquities. Deliver me from every evil and grant me peace in Your day; may Your light shine through me so others would realize how much You love them. And may your glory be revealed at all times. Amen."
Meditation: John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
--that in all things God may be glorified
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