Bruce Collins, Evangelist

The personal website of Bruce Collins

Unexpected Unthinkable Events

Meditation for the week of September 27, 2009


Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

The day was beautiful.  We were about to enter the “Holy Land” tourist attraction in Orlando, Florida when the unthinkable happened.  My wife caught her shoe on a curb and fell to the pavement.  Because she was carrying a camera and some water in her hands, she didn’t catch herself with her hands but fell on her face.  I watched as the accident unfolded almost in slow motion.  I was close but I couldn’t catch her and I couldn’t keep the accident from happening.  I thought surely we would be making a trip to the hospital but fortunately, all she did was make it appear that she was a battered wife.  The medic at the tourist attraction looked at her and decided that no permanent damage had been done.  She decided she wanted to continue going through the “Holy Land in Orlando” attraction rather than going home.  Good did come out of the whole thing, we got free passes into the facility. 

This accident was unexpected and as we looked over the place where she tripped, it was hard to understand how or why it happened.  But happen it did!  When we got our rental car at the airport a few days earlier, the sales people wanted me to buy “extra” insurance, just in case something happened.  I didn’t because I felt we can’t insure against everything, and we certainly shouldn’t have to insure against “acts of God” if we really believe that He is in control.  But I wondered how many people had the unexpected happen to them the day my wife had her accident?  How many died in unexpected car and motorcycle accidents?  How many downed?  How many were shot in hunting accidents?  There is no doubt that these things happen and they often happen unexpectedly.  Most people want to insure against all these possibilities, but it is impossible to buy enough insurance to cover every unexpected event in our lives.  The tourist facility had us sign some paper work indicating that we had refused a call to 911.   I suspect that they were afraid that they were going to be sued.   Of course we didn’t and we wouldn’t.  It was an accident after all.   I know that if God is in control, we could ask, “Why did this happen?”, and “Is there any such thing as an “accident?”  Yes, God allows “accidents.”  And while I don’t have the only answer as to “why?”, our answer that day was that it reminded us once again that we are to depend wholly on the Lord because all of our preparations and planning and insurance are not enough when the unexpected does happen.

I do not sell insurance, but for years I have been trying to tell people about One who has life assurance, and He provides it free of charge.  He will prepare us to live just as He will prepare us to die.  And we aren’t prepared to live until we are prepared to die.  If you don’t believe that, just talk to a life insurance salesmen.  I am glad that since I can’t buy enough insurance to cover every unexpected event in my life and in the lives of my loved ones, I have something better.  I have One who has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5).”  While He says that with regard to our material needs, the principle applies to every aspect of our lives.  The One who has the power to give life and to take life is the One to whom I have entrusted my life for time and for eternity.  Of course, by now you know that I am talking about the Lord Jesus.  He is the One who suffered and died and rose again to give those who trust Him confidence that they are never left alone.  He has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach, guide and indwell us.  He knows our names.  He cares (1 Peter 5:7).

Accidents do happen.  I am glad that we who are saved do not have them happen by chance, and we have the Lord with us when they do happen.  He carrys us through these unexpected events in our lives. 

My wife and I have prepared spiritually for the unexpected and unthinkable.  At some point, the Lord is going to say “Come home with me!”  It could be today, and it may be through an unexpected event.   We are prepared.  I hope you are as well.

Bruce Collins

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