I once had the pleasure of viewing the photo album of amazing rescues by a local ambulance station. One of the paramedics said, “Here’s one you’ve got to see.”
Showing me a page with several close-up pictures, I saw a VW Bug with the roof smashed down over every seat but the driver’s. My mouth gaped as I examined the documented wreckage, unable to imagine anyone surviving that accident.
“A young lady was driving her car to work. As she drove beneath an underpass, a tractor-trailer hauling rolled cable was crossing above her. At just precisely the wrong time, that roll of cable worked loose and fell off the trailer, bouncing off the bridge onto her car below.”
I gasped, sure my face was ashen.
“It took the Jaws of Life to extract her, but incredibly, she walked away once we could get the car open. Her bumper sticker says it all.”
He flipped the page and proudly pointed to the one foot of chrome that was not crushed.
“Jesus Saves”.
I shook my head in amazement, so grateful her life was saved. I was also stunned how God was using that event.
A bumper sticker was testifying to God’s truth.
Such an amazing story, constantly being retold in the station.
“Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)
As I stared at the photos, I wanted to cry tears of joy. Joy that the driver was able to walk away from the terrible accident. I had seen a few motor vehicle accidents and that was by far the worst looking car I had ever seen. It was unimaginable the driver lived without an injury.
Joy that a bumper sticker was still telling a story, the ultimate story of hope! I could tell by the paramedic’s reaction, that this story touched him in the deepest way. He had seen many, many accidents, and this was one of the worst. The fact the driver lived, spoke to him. It also spoke to me. And the bumper sticker was still speaking to anyone who could read and hear the story.
A bumper sticker!
Proof God can use anything.
God’s words (and deeds) can bring us great joy. We need to search for them, read them, and treasure them.
I think of what I would have missed if I had simply opened my paperwork that evening instead of smiling at the crew as I entered. Would I have had an opportunity to look at the album?
The same can happen when I don’t take the time to look in God’s word. How many good things do I miss when I forget to open my Bible?
Maybe you can relate? God wants to speak to us. He wants to teach us and to give us His joy! He wants to remind us that Jesus saves! But we need to make ourselves available. Available to listen to Him through prayer and reading His word.
Let’s ask for His help with just that.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to remember to pause and look for You. Help me to prioritize getting into my Bible and searching for Your truths. Thank You that You use anything, everything to remind me that indeed, Jesus saves! Thank You for saving that driver and that her bumper sticker is still telling of her story. May I look for You telling me Your story. In Jesus’ name, amen.