I can count on my hand the number of times when I thought I was going to die—and I’m not talking about when I let my husband drive! (Though he’s never had an accident in Australia he says).
One near-death experience was when as a teenager, I was caught in a rip while swimming at the beach on my boogie-board. No amount of paddling was moving me where I wanted to go so, realising what was happening, I relented and let the rip take me where it would, all the while trying to stay calm.
Fortunately I had my boogie-board to lean on but unfortunately the shape of the rip pushed me towards the rocky cliffs of the headland. As the rip curved around taking me with its flow, each wave threw me closer and closer to the cliff face until I was now so close to the rocks, it suddenly dawned on me that the next wave would probably be the last wave I would ever see.
This is it! I thought as I looked in horror at the rocks that I was about to be plastered up against. There seemed to be no way out of this situation. Considering the next wave, I turned to see how far away from me it was, when seemingly out of nowhere appeared a man on a surf board with his hand outstretched. “Need a hand?” he said.
I immediately threw my hand into his and he towed me far enough to push me into shore. I never saw him again but I am so very grateful he was where he was at the time I needed it.
The right place at the right time
Ever noticed how some people are in the right place at just the right time? I don’t believe it can be put down to a co-incidence or luck. I believe it is God’s way of reminding us that his eyes are always on us and if our time is not up, it’s not up—we’re not yet finished the work that has been predestined for us.
It’s a wonderful feeling to know that all the days of our lives are known by God. To know that we have a purpose and predestined job to do is comforting and hopeful.
Ephesians chapter one verse four says: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.’
This doesn’t mean that we are indestructible and can live life recklessly because we’ll only die when the time is right. There is such a thing as common sense and wisdom which God is happy to lavash upon us (James chapter 1 verse 5). But, I am grateful that the times I thought were my end, I was given another opportunity to live.
The gift of the close call
It is these close calls that have made me alert and aware of what a wonderful gift life is! Through these moments, I became aware that life can be over in an instant and that each moment is a treasure to use for the benefit of others and for the glory of the One who made us, who gave us life, and who holds the world in his hands. Therefore I don’t want to waste it.
I write because if my life ended tomorrow, I would want to be sure I took every opportunity to tell about God, our wonderful Father in Heaven who loves us, who sent his son Jesus to die to redeem us in order to give us the gift of eternal life.
If I don’t take every opportunity to show how good our God is, then I have not done my job, and I don’t want anyone to miss out on His great love. Our lives can be a constant act of worship, to live in the grace that has been given to us—to share the gift of God’s wonderful forgiveness and mercy with others.
I conclude that, having now gone through them, I am grateful for the near-death experiences because they have given me the courage to speak and not waste any time. What are you meant to be doing and have you begun it? I encourage you to be courageous and bold and let the time you have in each day be a gift of worship to the One who loves you most.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” —Romans chapter 12 verses 1-2
Rebecca and her husband have four children and live on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Rebecca writes for various publications including print, online and commercial. She has recently published her first book titled ‘First to Forty’ which is available on Amazon and Kindle. For more information: http://www.rebeccamoore.life
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