WRITTEN BY TIM LABRECHE
When we moved to Iowa, one thing we learned is that winter is not the same here as it is in Michigan. We may be on the same parallel, but winters are completely different. In Iowa, it gets much colder because there is nothing to stop the wind when it blows cold. In contrast, Michigan gets much more snow due to the Great Lakes surrounding the state and the numerous inland lakes that dot the state. That will come into play as we continue.
In early February, my wife Sheila drove to Michigan for a family funeral. Upon leaving, all of the snow had pretty much melted in Le Mars, but in Michigan, winter was still in full force. There was no sign of grass anywhere. Snow and slush still covered the smaller back roads. The funeral for Uncle Bill was on Thursday. On Friday morning, Sheila was going over to her aunt’s home to spend time with Aunt Jody and her cousins. Earlier, I mentioned the bevy of inland lakes that blanket the state. As she was driving to be with family, her Jeep started to slide on the ice and slush as she turned onto one of the many curves along the top shore of White Lake. If you’ve ever been in any type of situation like that, sometimes it feels like things are happening in slow motion. As she started to move towards the lake, she hit the brakes, but she just kept skidding towards the frozen lake. Sheila shared with me that her whole body had tensed up as the Jeep started sliding. Since she was moving towards the lake, I can only imagine the potential anxiety that may have filled her as she was approaching some potential danger. First, what would happen when the tires hit the boulders? Would she tip or flip? Then, what would happen if she made it to the ice? Would the vehicle’s weight be too much for the ice, since it’s been warmer lately? She first slid off the road, then flattened a sign that indicated a curve, careened towards the lake, bounced over some boulders, and finally came to rest with one tire on the frozen water. Like the lake outside of her door, she momentarily sat there frozen. Her foot was still firmly on the brake, and the Jeep was still in Drive. She shared with me that, in the moment when she came to a stop and realized she wasn’t moving, she thought to herself, “Who do I call first, Tim or 911?”
I’m happy to say that she called 911 first, and both the police and the ambulance arrived to attend to my bride and make sure she was okay. A tow truck pulled the Jeep away from the lake and back onto the side of the road. It’s drivable, but pretty banged up on one side. The important thing is that my bride is okay.
Sheila returned home and shared with me in person what had happened. Not surprisingly, she was in prayer the moment she realized there was nothing she could do to control what happened. I woke up the next morning with a truth from the Holy Spirit about what she went through. In this season of looking at what it looks like to sit at His feet, it’s a sweet reminder that we are to call on Him first.
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” (Psalm 55:22, NLT)
When the doctor gives you news that you didn’t want to hear, go to Him first.
When you’re struggling as a parent with how to come alongside one of your children who is going through a difficult time, go to Him first.
When you open your mail and are immediately overcome with anxiety when you see what you owe the hospital for your fun little kidney stone experience last month, go to Him first.
David is one of my favorite men in God’s Word. He’s a prime example of God using ordinary and flawed people to accomplish His work. In 1 Samuel 23, David continually goes to God for both direction on how to conquer the Philistines and protection from Saul and his army, who were pursuing them. As you read the chapter, time and time again, you see phrases like “David asked the Lord” and “then David prayed.” In the midst of battle and persecution, David went to God first, and his pleas were heard and answered by God Almighty.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
What does ‘going to Him first’ look like in your life? As we learn and acclimate to continually sitting at His feet, our first instinct will be to go to Him first in all things. As the scripture above states, when we do that, we will experience His peace that goes far beyond all understanding, and He will guard our hearts. In the process of our battles, he may allow us to get a little banged up like the passenger side of our Jeep, but He is still at work in the midst of our trials. Run to Him.
