Are You There God?

Photo by Ryunosuke Kikuno on Unsplash

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me.” – Psalm 138:7a

It was a beautiful Fall evening.

I had no idea I would encounter Jesus as I peacefully rode my motorcycle home after having dinner with friends. At a major intersection, an oncoming car failed to yield, crashing into me. In an instant, both of my legs were severely crushed, and my head was smashed. My body was thrown through the air like a ragdoll before slamming onto the pavement in a broken heap. Miraculously, I was alive…barely.

As I lay on the ground unable to move, my mind slowly tried to process what had happened. Oh God. I can’t feel my legs. I must be paralyzed. I thought to myself. That is when I prayed what I call my barter prayer. I am sure you all have done one at some point in your life as well. God, if I am paralyzed, take me now. I can’t be a burden to my parents. They’ve been through enough. He answered my prayer, alright. That fateful night, the protection of God was poured over me like nothing I knew was ever possible. And, it has yet to stop.

God’s Word tells us in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Until the night of the accident, I did not understand the power, protection, and provision of God. I had heard about it and even read a few Bible verses about it. Not until I experienced it did, I truly begin to seek it.

My physical recovery was long and problematic. Setback after setback, I learned the only unchanging thing was God. He never wavered. When all seemed hopeless, He never left me. No matter the day or time, no matter my state of mind—fear, sorrow, angst, or anger—God never stopped protecting me. He protected me from the evil, disturbing thoughts the enemy constantly whispered in my ear. He protected me from going down the path of ‘poor pitiful me.’ When my life spiraled out of control after I lost my leg, my home, and my marriage all within a few months, God protected me from giving up.

According to Proverbs 18:10, God is our strong tower. When we run to Him, He is our safe place. God is faithful and protects us from the evil one.

When we cry out to God, He is there. We have the assurance of His protective covering. That does not mean that the life of a Christian will be all peaches and cream. Hardly. But, in the shelter of God’s safety, we can walk in confidence that He will never leave us.

My life as an amputee is not easy. Yet, with God, it is more than possible. I can’t imagine how hard it would be on my own without His provision and protection. Neither would I want to.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Is prayer your first go-to in times of need? If not, why not?

2. Are you aware of Satan’s taunting schemes in your life

3. How is God protecting you?