The Quietness After the Crash

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)

Recently, while on my way to the hospital to visit my sister, I passed a multi-car accident that had just happened a few moments before. People had stopped to help, so I kept going, knowing my sister was in critical condition. I didn’t know it then, but I later learned that there were multiple fatalities because of that crash. People on there way someplace, just like me, never expecting their next stop to be their last.

I’ve been in a few accidents. One second laughing with your child, the next the screeching of tires, the sound of breaking glass, and mangled metal. If you’re fortunate enough to live and be awake, the next thing you hear is nothing. Complete quietness. It’s like time is suspended and you’re given a few seconds to try to wrap your mind around what just happened.

It’s like that in life sometimes. You answer the phone without a care in the world, to learn the test results were positive. Or the doorbell rings and you wonder why there’s a police officer at your door. Or the boss calls you into their office and you learn you’re no longer a “good fit” for the job you loved. These and a thousand other scenarios come “crashing” into our lives, often leaving us speechless and frightened.

It’s in times like these that I’m glad I serve a risen Savior! My precious sister, whom I love with all my heart, went to the emergency room a few days ago because of discomfort. She’d fallen a few months back and had fractured a couple ribs, so she thought it might be related to that, but learned what she thought was a hematoma was a malignant tumor, and the cancer had spread to her bones and vital organs.

That’s when Jesus’ words “Come to Me” are so critical to hear and obey. Where else can we go? Doctors? Medicine? Where’s our hope in times of crisis? If it’s anyplace but in Jesus, we’re setting ourselves up for a big disappointment. And please don’t misunderstand, God certainly does use doctors, nurses, and medicine, and they’re often able to help, but they’re limited and whatever positive results they’re able to get are temporary.

If our vision is focused on this earth we’re heading towards a tragic end. I’m comforted knowing that many of my family members who have passed are with Jesus, not because of their own goodness, but because of their strong faith in Him. And now my only other sibling is under Hospice care, but I know she’s in the Lord’s loving hands.

Without Jesus there’s no hope of an eternal home in heaven. My sister was devoted to loving and serving Him. She has told me multiple times in her weakened condition how she longs to be with Jesus. He’s the only One who can help us bear our pain, sorrow, and grief. He’s the only One who can share our load and give us rest from our burden of care.

Dear friend, please don’t wait another second before you yield your life and allegiance to Jesus. It doesn’t matter how bad you’ve been or how good you think you are, if you haven’t knelt at the Savior’s feet and sought His forgiveness, you’re trying to carry the weight of your sin alone. Please click on the link below and find out how you can respond to Jesus’ invitation to eternal life. Let the uncertainty of your burden lead you to the quietness of the arms of Jesus. He will not disappoint you!

The Bridge to God | Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Blessings, Ed