In the Blink of an Eye

Four weeks ago, our friend, who is an avid surfer and athletic person, was in an auto/motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down and in his left arm.  He woke up on a monday morning, looking forward to a new day and by 6:00 p.m. he lay in an ambulance unable to move his body.  In the "blink of an eye" he went from being independent to being dependent on people for every day things.

When someone close to you goes through such a horrendous trial, it makes you stop and evaluate your own life.  This can happen to any of us.  So quickly, so suddenly your life takes a life altering turn.  Life as you know it, or was hoping for is now changed, perhaps the changes are irreversible and now your life will be filled with many adjustments.  What does one do?

The world says "well adjust".  Easier said than done when you are left feeling helpless, at the mercy of others, wondering what will happen next.  You are no longer in control of anything.  Your meals are brought to you when you aren't even hungry, you can't venture outside to feel the cool breeze, if you want a bath you have to wait until someone is available.  The visitors begin to dwindle and you realize you have much time on your hands.  Time to ponder, time to think "what's next".  You stare at the tv watching others lives go by, yours has stopped for now.

I think of "can we prepare" for such things?  Of course there's the normal things we can do, get good insurance, have accidental and long term care coverage, make sure all your paperwork is up to date and in order.  In fact that's also a biblical approach, as the Bible says "be prepared".  But how does one prepare emotionally and spiritually?  Do we wait until we are in such a situation to grasp on to God?  If you don't have faith in Jesus, where do you get your hope?  Not in people.  Humans disappoint us, hurt us, leave us, are impatient with us,  expect too much from us.  Granted we do have our nice sides, but we are selfish people.  We have our own lives, places to go and people to see!

Are you prepared?  Do you hold on to the hand of Jesus every day and say "I surrender all to You"?  Do you wait upon Him to guide you through your life or are you making your own path, following your own way, striving and pushing forward?  Jesus tells us in the "blink of an eye" we as a believer,
will be raptured up with Him into the heavens.  Are you ready if He comes today?  Are you intimately acquainted with Him that no matter what happens you can say, It is well with my soul.

Close your eyes and imagine laying in bed unable to move.  What would be your thoughts?  Where would you gather your strength and hope from?  When the fear encapsulates you, who would you release that fear to?

If you don't know Jesus, call me.  I will tell you of my relationship with the King of Kings and how He is my rock, my strength, the one who can deliver me from anything, He is the one who holds me in the palm of His hand, who created me in His image, who will never leave me nor forsake me.  Whose mercies are new every morning.  He is HOPE.