Only under real pressure would you really identify the contents of a man’s character

On Monday this week, I for some reasons, could not make it to work as early as I should and then my mum asked me to help her re-park her Sienna Car. You need to know I am not an expert driver, however, whenever it came to parking a car I certainly had very little issues (and I am not bragging!) Anyways on this fateful morning, I obliged to go park the car, my mind set on finally nailing the parallel parking concept without having someone direct me from outside the car.

At first, I drove down to the spot mum needed the car at and parked well but as I stepped down to score my work I noticed though I had improved considerably in the control of the vehicle, I still didn’t park parallel to the kerb. So I decided to correct my mistake.

As I started the ignition, everything seemed fine up until I put the car in gear and proceeded to move a bit forward then, the film show started. I tried to turn the wheel and it wouldn’t budge then I sensed there must be a problem so I went for the brakes immediately. Alas, the brakes were useless then I reasoned I could set the car to the parking gear (the car uses an automatic gear system) and still that didn’t work since the car was on a slope.

So here was I, in a moving car with no stops, a huge gate right before me, an intersecting road just after that gate and absolutely no idea as to what to do as I was only seconds away from impact with the huge black gate. For some weird reason, I was not scared. Rather, I was angry because all I could think of was how no one would understand how helpless I was at that moment and probably judge me and my inability to drive. I guess I didn’t realize the mortal danger I was in at the moment. So it was quite a quiet moment for me, there was no Jesus! Jesus! shouting, I just sat there.

Sure enough, within seconds the car pushed through this massive gate, kept on moving to the intersecting road and crossed to the other side where it was stopped by a pile of sand heaped at the side of the road.

I was safe.

No casualties.

A frantic woman that had watched it all came and commanded me out of the car. She scolded me because I was not thankful to God for the obvious miracle He had just done. I stepped out of the car and looked around. Only a few people had noticed what had gone down and miraculously the car had only sustained a little scratch. Also, the intersecting road which I crossed to get to my stopping point was one that stayed busy all week especially with children playing around or motorcycles just hanging yet on this Monday the street was empty which I must say is just amazing. I wonder what hurt could have been caused had the situation of that street been otherwise.

Moments later, it was found out that the brake pads were damaged and the brake oil had run out and it dawned on me. I had no chance against this situation yet God saved me. I did not call out to Him at the spur of the moment, yet He saved me. I may have not been in that situation at all if I had left earlier for work but then how would my dear mum deal with such a brake system while running at 100km/hour on a four-lane highway? That is not pretty.

Two things I learnt from this. I have obviously not gotten the name of Jesus into my head yet because instead of getting angry on a failing vehicle I should have run for refuge in the name that is above all names, Jesus. Secondly and most importantly, I further know how good my God is in planning out a strategy.

God does care!

Grace

Ezeonyeka Godswill