God is always at work
There is no question that God is always at work and involved in our lives. Sometimes He is working quietly in the background, not ready to reveal to us what He is doing or what His plans are. Other times, His power and glory are undeniable. Earlier this month, I was reflecting on my past to a time when I was at my lowest. Twenty years ago (12/3/2000), a homeless individual jumped in front of my car, committing suicide, while I was driving on the freeway. As a senior in high school, this was difficult to deal with, and I could not understand God’s purpose in allowing this. I remember a point the day after the accident where I was having a discussion with myself and concluded that I basically had two choices: I could deal with the accident on my own by being angry at the world, feeling victimized, turning to other things to numb the pain, etc. Or, I could fully trust God and have faith that He is in control and He has a plan to use me for His glory. For me, it was an easy choice, because I had so strongly felt His presence during the night of the accident.
Having walked through that trial, I know from experience that God is always present and working, even if we feel otherwise.
This month, our family has been dealing with several small trials. One of our daughters had two teeth that abscessed and ultimately needed to be pulled (the process was very traumatic for her), our main vehicle needed “major surgery“ as our mechanic described it, and Tiffany has been dealing with a bulging disc in her low back that is greatly affecting her physical abilities and quality of life.
It is easy to lose our focus on God and let Satan weasel his way in and plant lies and stir up our anxieties. I will often be tricked into entertaining his lies, but not far along that destructive path, God reminds me what He did for me 20 years ago. During these mini-trials, I will choose to have faith in the Lord that He will use these things for good and for His glory. God cares about us and what we go through. He is refining us and preparing us for greater things. He walks ahead to fight the battles we fear we can't win. He calms the seas we're convinced will swallow us up. He promises to soften the blows we worry will take us down. He knows our road. He understands our coming trials. He knows how to lead us through all of it. We just need to have faith and believe.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:18 “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
I was planning to end the devotion there, but I think sharing more on the night of 12/3/2000 might help some people understand how God is good, even in sucky situations. I was driving eastbound on I-90 at night, just starting to take the Evergreen exit (so still going 60 mph) as I saw a person dressed in all dark clothing, only just before hitting him. After coming to a stop, I had this strange calmness as I went to the side of the road to wave someone down for help. It felt like forever as no cars slowed down or stopped. As fear started to settle in, I looked eastbound and saw a car parked on the shoulder of I-90. My heart sank as I thought the car probably belonged to the guy I hit, and he was just trying to get help. I ran to the car and knocked on the window. I scared the mother, grandmother, and two kids that were in the car. The mom, who was in the driver’s seat, had not pulled over for me; in fact, she hadn’t seen me at all. I told her what was going on and she asked me if the guy was ok. Not knowing the answer to that question, we went over to him, and it was not a pretty scene. I broke down immediately and she hugged me. While breaking down, she started praying over me. While praying, a man came behind me and hugged me. Some time after that, the woman said that she needed to go and asked me if I felt comfortable staying with the man. I said yes and she then started praying for me in tongues! I was slightly familiar with this and even through my tears, I felt safe. It wasn’t long before the Sheriff Chaplain arrived. When he got the call he, amazingly, was just 5 minutes from the scene. He spoke truth to me that I needed to hear that night—that it wasn’t my fault. My parents and coach Jim McLachlan where there to pray for me when I got home. Going to bed that night, I was terrified about what I was going to see in my dreams, about the man laying on the road. I tell you guys the truth, God has protected my mind since that day and I haven’t had a single nightmare about the accident. I am moved to tears when I think about that night, not because of the traumatic experience, but because of God’s goodness and deliverance. I’m in awe of all the people that He placed around me in my time of need! This experience has molded me into a stronger and more compassionate person. Through God’s strength and with continued faith, I have been able to be open about sharing my experience with others.
This allowed other people to share their experiences with me, often times things that they have not shared with anyone before. As a RA in college at Eastern Washington University, I had people who shared their own personal trials that they were going through—some of them even thinking of committing suicide.
As I look back over the last 20 years, I am able to more clearly see God’s plan and how that night continues to be used to give God glory.
--Ryan Kettleson