Snow, heavy snow. I guess this is what a white-out looks like, I thought with some humor but a certain amount of terror too. The two-lane highway was no longer visible nor were any vehicles, just blinding snow! I tried to remember what I had been told about driving in these kinds of conditions. I was pretty sure that the worse thing I could do was stop, so I kept moving forward not knowing if another vehicle was going to run up my tail pipe or I was going to do the same to some other unexpecting driver.
There must be an exit somewhere, I thought. But in this wide-open range country of Wyoming I wasn’t sure where or when I would come across one. But strangely enough as I was thinking this, I saw what appeared to be an exit ahead sign looming on the side of the road. The snow had covered it so there was no way of telling what it said but now I kept an eye out for the actual exit. If I could get off this highway, I would feel better and if I was snowed in my car I would rather it not be in the middle of the interstate.
Within minutes I saw what appeared to be an exit but the bulk of what must be a semi-trailer was either already on it or just exiting in front of me, I could not tell. As I approached, I now could see that there was a line of semi’s cramming the lane and I would have to decide. Would I park in line behind them or attempt to go around to find a safer place to hold up?
I was driving a Chevy Blazer with four-wheel drive and even though I could not judge what was or not road or how deep the snow was I decided to chance going forward around the big rigs. As soon as I veered left, I knew I had left the pavement. The tires of the Blazers spun in what might be mud but then I felt them grip and I slowly headed but to ‘wherever, Wyoming’ I had exited into.
By the time I had reached the stop sign at the top of the exit the snow seemed to be slacking a bit and I could see that there was what looked like a truck stop about a quarter mile to the right. And even though there were vehicles scattered everywhere there seemed to be enough open road to get to that safe haven.
Slowly with a lot of slipping and sliding I pulled into a large parking area already filled with others taking shelter from the storm. Should I shut down and go inside or just wait out the snow? I decided to hang out in my rig, the snow was sure to stop soon, and I still had, I would guess, three hours to reach Green River.
Sitting there I had time to reflect what I lucky guy I was. All those saps who were in two-wheel drives were going to be stuck here for a long time, but not me. No sir, this kid was one lucky dude to have been driving my Blazer instead of the compact Toyota that was our ‘other’ car and the one I normally took on longer road trips. Chuckling to myself, yep one lucky dude!
How many times have you said it or at least thought it, “My lucky day!” I have to admit I lived a life where luck played a major factor in everything I did, or at least I thought so. If I had a good day at the race track or I won big at the craps table, my luck was running good. And if I had the opposite, well, it was all a matter of luck. I truly believed that my life was governed by some strange cosmic force that either bestowed good luck or bad luck. Never once considering that there was a Creator God who sees all, knows all, and nothing in His creation happens by chance. Now that took some convincing for this atheist to believe!
Here is what happened. As I began to absorb the Word of God, I have said many times right here in this blog, it changed me. But not all at once. I would read things like, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purposes.” (Romans 8:28) I would think: “Great, God does good things for the holy rollers who attend church every week, but what has he done for me lately?” Always negative thoughts. But the cool thing about the Word of God and the Holy Spirit is that the more you allow them in your life the more clarity you get.
Somewhere along my journey I started seeing all the times God did work good, even in the midst of the disaster I called my life. Times he actually saved my life. Now as my mind cleared from all the substances and roadblocks Satan threw in my way, I saw His hand everywhere. None of it had anything to do with luck. I had to admit, I was saved and brought through the fire “…according to his purposes.” And not just me, so many others I have heard testify also. It was simple, “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) He loved me before I knew what love was and there is no luck in that.
The snow turned to flurries, but the highway was a mess for the next 50 or so miles. The Blazer did its job and got me to Green River. Once again, the hand of God had protected this sinner. Today, I know he saved me so that I may proclaim His glory and to share His promise that none need to be lost. I am not here by luck but by the grace of God. Can I get an Amen!
Blessings John,
2/6/19
