Encouragement

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“On May 8, 2005, I had left my mother’s home near San Antonio, and was heading back to Houston on I-10 roughly 30 miles north of Seguin, Texas. The weather was treacherous. All of a sudden, I saw a bright flash, a loud pop, and a sizzling sound coming from behind my dashboard. Light smoke was also coming out of my A/C vents. The vehicle lost complete power, and I came to a rolling stop on the shoulder of I-10. I called 911 via my cell phone, and told the operator I thought I had been struck by lightning and asked her if she knew whether my vehicle would still be conducting electricity. She stated she did not know for sure, but would send someone out. For the next 40 minutes, I was left to wonder what was going to happen to me. If I tried to exit the vehicle, I might get electrocuted. If I stayed in the vehicle, I could burn up since I was not sure if something was on fire as smoke was still coming from my A/C vents. I was concerned the vehicles on I-10 could no see me due to the heavy rain and the fact my hazard lights were not working. I even wondered if my now “electrically hot” vehicle would attract more lightning. I have to say those were the longest 40 minutes of my life.

When the officer arrived, he assured me I could exit the vehicle. Upon getting out of my vehicle, I noticed my radio antenna was partially melted. The officer stated he had never seen or heard of a vehicle being struck by lightning. He reminded me how lucky I was the lighting traveled down the radio wire and into the engine rather than continue straight down and possibly hitting the gas tank. My vehicle ended up non-repairable due to the degree of electrical damage... I know the Lord works in mysterious ways, but I can’t help but think he sometimes makes these ways so vivid so as to tell us “hey, remember me?” This may have been one of those ways.” – Ray Medley

I work for an insurance company along with Ray. When he told a group of us about his encounter, I could not help but to think about Paul when he met the Lord on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9; 22:4-11; 26:13-18). Similar to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), each version of the event emphasized details tailored for its specific use. But three things remained constant:

1. A question – “Who are you, Lord?”
2. A response – “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”
3. A command – “Arise and go to Damascus and it will be told what you must do.”

The result was obedience. Paul made evangelistic journeys, planted churches, discipled many (Ever wonder why all those names are mentioned at the end of epistles?), birthed sons in the ministry, and wrote approximately half of the New Testament.

Jesus got Paul’s attention and the rest as they say is history.

I remember Ray telling us how he went to church the next Sunday and really appreciated what God had done for him. God has work for you, too. I encourage you to answer the call by getting involved in God’s program that is outlined in the Bible; otherwise, you may encounter a “Ray Experience.”

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