cars

With the blessing of April getting a new job that God is using to meet our financial needs comes a new path home. A much busier, longer, and more opportunities to encounter distracted drivers path. Although driving her to the employer at 4 AM is a bit safer with fewer drivers on the road, some reckless drivers are still out there.

A few days into our new thrill ride, we encountered a busy interchange. As I maneuvered into the cloverleaf while dogging cars entering the highway, I was almost rear-ended by someone going way too fast, considering the number of vehicles, short ramp, and rapidly slowing traffic. I was fearful as I watched the speeding car approach. I just knew they would hit us, but they didn’t. My heart raced as I thought that was close!

The next day, in the same spot in our travel, it happened again, but this time the car speeding toward the back of ours seemed to be guided by a laser determined to cause mass destruction. I cried out in horror as I watched in the rear-view mirror, “Oh God!” There was a look of sheer fear on the face of the driver as he dropped his phone and stood up on the brake pedal. I knew today we wouldn’t survive with a “close call.”

But then, at the point of impact, I watched as the driver moved forward in his car as if he had hit a wall, but there was no direct strike to the back of our car. I continued to look in the mirror as we made our way around the leaf and onto the intersecting highway. I was bewildered, trying to figure out how in the world we were not struck.

The only “satisfying” answer I could come up with is this; it wasn’t anything in our world but out of this world. Yeah, I believe an angel positioned himself between the back of my car and the other car. But the impact on that angel had to be so devastating that I could only imagine he was killed in the line of duty protecting April and me from harm. Or better yet, keeping us from the interruption of having to get our car fixed or replaced.

I was humbled and appreciative of God’s hand of protection upon our lives and the things, like the car that He provides to help us in our daily lives. The next day, I prayed over our commute, pleading the blood of Jesus over us and taking dominion over that spot on the highway. Declaring out loud that any demons of destruction had to go in the name of Jesus and that no harm to our lives or property could come upon us.

I am convinced that God’s hand protects us more than we know. Yes, I saw this angel do his job, but more than not, we don’t. Only when we get to heaven will we see God’s love in action for those who call him “Father.”

No, I don’t honestly believe the angel died, and there is currently a job opening in heaven, but I do know that Jesus died on a cross for us so that this relationship with the awesome loving God could be possible.

⁹Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹²In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalms 91:9-12 (NKJV)

Direction. We seek it a lot, especially for those who have a strong and thriving relationship with God. We want to go in the correct direction and not waste time or resources. I sure messed up the other night. I live in a city that doesn’t receive huge amounts of snow that often and as a result the city doesn’t have the equipment to remove it as say, Chicago does. So when the meteorologist were predicting 6, 8 to 10 inches of snow, and hyped it up, I left where I was sooner than I needed to in order to get home safe.

I realize now I could have asked God for direction on when to leave, but I didn’t. I acted out of fear instead. At times, it’s hard not to. There is something innate about us that wants to be moving. This inward motivation makes it difficult to sit and wait, and when it comes to waiting on God for direction it is even harder. Do we not trust Him? We should! We have His word we can go to and read of His promise to guide us:

^1–2I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help.
But then I realize that our true help and protection
come only from the Lord,
our Creator who made the heavens and the earth.
³He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall.
God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me.
⁴He will never slumber nor sleep;
he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel.
⁵Jehovah himself will watch over you;
he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence.
⁶He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night.
⁷He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity
as he continually watches over you.
⁸You will be guarded by God himself.
You will be safe when you leave your home
and safely you will return.
He will protect you now,
and he’ll protect you forevermore! Psalms 121 (TPT)

I was having a conversation this morning, with a friend, about this very topic. He has been asking God for direction when it comes to finding his spouse. There are a few potential mates and he has been trying to discern God’s will on the matter. As we continued to speak, it became obvious to both of us that he needs to stay in “neutral” right now. If you think about the gear shift on a car from neutral you can go forward or backwards, but you can move in an instant. Your only other option is “Park”.

A parked car doesn’t need to be steered,

because it isn’t going anywhere!

So I challenge you, if you find yourself needing direction, guidance from God, be patient and be willing to sit in neutral for a while. Keep your foot on the brake. You are ready to move, and you will, when the time and direction is right, therefore not wasting either time or resources, and when it comes to matters of love, possibly not suffering another heartbreak.