What If It Had Been Today?

Friday, October 11, 2008 could very easily have become a day immortalized by tragedy for my family. My husband, Jasper, and I were traveling from our home in Greenwood to Ridgeway, SC. With only 30 miles to go, we were looking forward to a relaxing weekend on the lake with friends whom we had not seen in several years.

It was a few minutes past 5 pm and so far the trip had been pleasant and uneventful. Traffic was moderately heavy and moving briskly as we drove along Interstate 20 East. We had just passed the Clemson Road exit and were approaching the 84 mile marker when I glanced at the clock. I was pleased to see we should arrive at our destination right on time and decided to wait just a few more minutes before calling our friends to tell them we were getting close.

A truck pulling a pontoon boat was traveling in the same direction immediately ahead of us and Jasper eased into the inside lane to pass. As we neared the rear of the trailer, I suddenly noticed a large white object rise from the back of the boat and come sailing straight toward the windshield directly in front of my face. A quick thought raced through my mind: that cushion is going to hit us but it should simply bounce off without causing any damage. Although I felt no fear, I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact just in case.

In the next instant, I was startled by a tremendous crash and my face and upper body were pelted by broken glass. Somehow Jasper managed to hold our car in our lane without swerving. “Are you okay?” He asked anxiously. I made a quick visual inspection. “Yes,” I whispered. Somehow, although I was covered with glass and could feel the sharp edges inside my clothes and even in my shoes, I didn’t have a scratch on me. I stared in disbelief at the gaping hole and splintered glass directly in front of me where an intact windshield had been only moments before.

Jasper quickly pulled alongside the driver and began blowing the horn to get his attention. When the driver glanced toward me, I pointed at my windshield and motioned for him to pull over. He immediately complied and Jasper carefully maneuvered our SUV onto the shoulder of the road and came to a stop in front of him. As Jasper approached the driver and assured him we were both unhurt, I called the highway patrol and examined our vehicle. There was significant damage to the windshield which extended to the roof of the car and the luggage rack on my side of the car. How could a boat cushion have caused such damage, I wondered.

Although I wouldn’t discover the answer until a few hours later, Jasper had already received an explanation from the driver. As we talked with the police officer and made arrangements for a wrecker and rental car, he repeatedly asked me, “Are you sure you are okay? If that had come all the way through the windshield you would have been killed.” I thought he might be exaggerating the danger just a little since it was only a cushion that had hit the car. Surely a cushion couldn’t come through the windshield I thought but still I was puzzled by the extent of the damage.

Later, once we were safely inside a rental car and continuing on our journey, I had a chance to ask the question that had been bothering me. “Jasper, how could a cushion have done that?” He looked at me in surprise. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I asked.
“That wasn’t just a cushion. It was a seat cushion with a wooden bottom. You are lucky to be alive.” His voice cracked and he grasped my hand. “If that seat had hit the windshield at a slightly different angle, I would have lost you tonight.”

This information certainly put a different light on the situation. Yes, I realized, I could have been killed tonight. What does that mean to me? How do I feel about death when the possibility of my own demise comes this close to reality? What do I really believe will happen to me when I leave this earth? While the event raised questions definitely worth considering, I didn’t have to ponder the questions long because I already know the answers.

Would it surprise you to learn I did not feel alarm or apprehension but simply introspective? I felt as though God had kissed my forehead and said to me, “Not tonight beloved, but someday…” My emotions were a strange contrast of sharp longing for Him combined with thankfulness that I had been given more time to serve Him here.

Although I deeply love my family and friends and can’t bear the idea of being even temporarily separated from them, when my appointed day comes, I know I will face death without fear. Instead of dread, I will greet the end of this life with joyful anticipation because of the intimate personal relationship I share with Jesus Christ. I know Him and He has proven His faithfulness to me over and over again. I stand upon His promises to me and our history together, ready to go whenever He calls me home.

Based upon His incredible promises, what can I expect to happen to me after I die?

Because Jesus is Lord of my life, I know with certainty I am heaven-bound!
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Considering the spectacular beauty and incredible complexity of our planet, heaven will be indescribable!
“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Romans 14, verse 11 tells us “’As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”
Even those who deny his sovereignty on earth will one day bow before Him as they are banished from His presence and sentenced to eternal torment. Because I have chosen to worship and serve him with my mortal life - the only opportunity we have to make this choice – my sins are forgiven and I can rest in the promise of Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

Although I have sinned against Him greatly and have left a trail of regrets in my life, because I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, I can look forward to meeting God with joyous anticipation rather than dread and fear.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Because my Father defends me, I have no reason to fear!
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” 1 Corinthians 8:15

I will receive a new indestructible spiritual body!
“When the perishable is clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ’Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55

I have surrendered everything to God and asked Him to make my life a love story to Jesus written on tablets of human hearts. Despite my human failings and weaknesses, in heaven I will receive rewards from a God who treasures me rather than punishment from a God whom I have rejected.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

In heaven, I will be reunited with Christian loved ones and all other believers to live forever in the amazing presence of Almighty God!
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God will be with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4


If you fear death because you do not possess the same security that permeates my life, allow me to leave you with one final thought:

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17

What if the unexpected and unavoidable
crashes into your life and
Today becomes Your day to meet God?
ARE YOU READY?