Welcome to in Bolden, where through Bible scripture and commentary, we seek a bold fate, and in doing so we share the amazing love and message of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hello, I'm Chris Shatter. I'm an ordinary Christian seeking a deeper relationship with our extraordinary God. Won't you join me?
Hi friends, are you looking for a life full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and that ever-elusive self-control? Please join me over the next few weeks as we take a look at the Bibles verse in Galatians 5, 22 to 23, so we can experience the Christian life in full bloom. I was sitting in the backseat of the car, texting my husband about our travels that day, and suddenly we experienced yet another brush with death. Our car came within inches of having the entire left side, which was of course the side it was on, shorn off by a large truck.
My beautiful friends in the front seat continued their ongoing little murmur of bickering about driving skills and directions. And then I texted my husband and said, I realized I might die today and I'm okay with that. His response was of course, what? Question mark, question mark?
And I told him, yeah, we almost died a few times today, but somehow I'm okay with it. And when I tell my friends about that moment, they think I'm being funny and exaggerating, which I continue to do. One friend inquired, but weren't you terrified and kind of angry? And I said, no, really, I was at peace.
My reaction to our death-defying adventure that day reminded me of these few verses in Pastor John Newton's famous hymn, Amazing Grace, through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come, his grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will leave me home. I'll tell you my friends, my reaction that day in the driving was a first for me. Neither the near miss or the little bickering could take away the peace I was experiencing. I saw that bickering as my sweet friends' natural way of communicating with each other over there to be honest, sixty years of loving marriage.
Somehow it worked for them. And as for that little death thingy, I realized I had zero control over the situation. No amount of my yelling about my friends driving, yelling at the other driver, or fretting, or crying, or whatever would change the situation. We were in the middle of nowhere, so I couldn't even demand we pull over and let me out.
Instead, I sat back and did the only thing I could do, pray and worship. I didn't beg God to save me. I told him, I trust you. And if he had more things for me to do here on earth, then I would do them.
And I watched as the beautiful scenery sped by, and I thanked him for his glorious creation. I thanked him for my sweet little family who my love and I know loves me. I tell this story because this hasn't always been me. I didn't even realize it could be me until that very moment, until I was tested by the Lord.
Let's just say I'm really talented at being a backseat driver, or as my husband can attest, I'm a well-practiced jump-seat boss. The Holy Spirit and I have worked diligently on this topic, with each foray into my husband's searching for parking places and driving past our freeway exits or taking different efficient routes for errands. The Holy Spirit has set on my right shoulder, prodding me into silence. It's my desires of the flesh, pride and anger, that get me into so much trouble during these times.
I know best, and if you don't take my advice, it's a punishable offense. But I'm heartened to know I'm probably the only one with this problem, right? John Calvin once said, Joy and patience are far above our strength. We must persevere in prayer, that he may not permit our hearts to faint.
Prayer and perseverance are necessary in our daily conflicts. The best remedy to the weariness is diligence and prayer. You see, when I realized I could not, by my own doing, take on this task of peacefulness, while not in the driver's seat, I turned to God in prayer. It's he that gives me the reminders.
It's he that tugs at my mind and my heart. And it's by the Holy Spirit's strength that not only does my mouth stay shut, mostly, but my mind turns to something else. And lo and behold, we still arrive at our destination. We may walk a bit farther, but we're still there.
While I struggle with this sin still on our daily, our Saturday errand trips, they become more peaceful ventures. This training each week led me to that moment in the backseat of my friend's car, to my possible meeting my maker moment. Not only did I have peace, but I also had joy in knowing that I have the love of the Lord on my side whether I'm here for another day or two or not. And I had love for my friends.
They had taken the day to share an adventure with me, to share their time with me, and what an adventure it was. Matthew 6, 25 to 27 says, Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air.
They don't sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying at a single hour to your life? I know I can't.
By worry or fear or anger, at a single hour to my life. I do know that with prayer and worship, He will make my life more peaceful and beautiful. And for that, I am forever grateful. Peace be with you, my friends.
I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Unbolden Podcast. Be sure to follow along so you don't miss any episode. And check out my blog at embolden.net.