Dear God, Dodging the Bullet

Dear God,

I wonder, just how often do we use the phrase, “dodging the bullet?” We have such a way of describing our circumstances with verbal wit. This phrase was used only days ago, when Hawaii was spared of the impending tsunami that was scheduled to hit at 11:05 am. We watched with worried anticipation as we braced ourselves for yet another natural disaster. We are starting, to become slightly unaffected by some of these news stories, and that is becoming unnerving to me. In all honesty, I too, stayed by the television, gripped with anxiety, as we awaited for the shoreline to recede, and the waves to hit. We all watched, and when time seemed to go on, and on, and on, without incident we assumed that we could breathe a sigh of relief. The waves of destruction would not destroy this beautiful island city.

For so many, it was said that Hawaii had “dodged the bullet” and that they should, by all probable means have been hit. That by all scientific research of probability, that began when Chile was rocked with an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hours before. This was GOING to happen. The sea bed was shifted, and the impending wave would come, it wasn’t if, but when. As the time went on, and as it occurred, many other area’s were definitely effected by waves of destruction, Hawaii was not to be effected as greatly as was predetermined.

My thoughts on this, are a bit different, than the scientific explanations as to why Hawaii was not hit so hard by the waves of the tsunami. I had seen where literally thousands and thousands of people were praying for this to be avoided. Due to family and friends that live in the area, as well as those who just didn’t want to see another Haiti situation played out. Father, I believe with all of my heart, that there was no scientific explanation for this diversion…there was, however, a supernatural explanation. I truly believe that the God who can calm the stormy seas, did indeed– do that very thing. You gave protection and peace to those people on that day. You intervened on the behalf of those who prayed diligently to You for protection of their loved ones. There may have been a bullet to dodge, but You are in charge of the sky, the wind, the waters, and the waves. You are the one who has the power to intervene in our lives and change our circumstances, to protect us from devastation and heartache.

Since posting that I would be humbled and honored to receive prayer requests from others, I have been getting numerous ones from so many who are asking that I pray for their situations. I have found that by praying for the needs of others, I am less likely to dwell in my own problems, and focus my attention to the concerns of those who truly desire Your help in their lives. I have seen multiple concerns for job related problems. I have seen marital strife that is begging for Your intervention and healing powers. I have seen illness, and disease, and accidents, that have fallen on those who do not know where else to turn, but to Jesus Christ. I will continue to reach to You, for each and every person who struggles as to where to find that peace that passes our human understanding. We may be dealing with problems that seem to simulate staring down the path of the bullet, but I know that You hold us in the palm of Your hand, and that when we give our hearts to You alone, there is nothing that can bring harm to us. We may still deal with pain, with divorce, with children who are struggling where to fit in, and with financial difficulties and job loss. But, nothing other than our own selfishness, can separate us from the love that flows so freely from You, God. We may be shaken, and shoved by the difficulties that life throws our way. I find that even when I feel totally weakened and physically drained, I can still have the assurance that I will survive. I am a survivor!

Nothing of this world is worth loosing our emotion and mental boundaries that are our bullet proof vest. We have the armor of God that can take those hits from the bullets of life’s hard-hitting challenges. We will sometimes fall down with an explosive hit. But, You have still given us the protection that saved us from that bullet that would have penetrated our bodies and caused certain death. No other love can bring that undeniable protection and peace into our hearts and minds.

I pray now for all of those who are suffering miserably in Haiti, in Chile, and on the coastlines that did sustain a hit from our ocean’s mighty, and powerful waves. I know that they are struggling with questions as to why this had to happen to them. I’m sure many of them who are without a home, without water, food, or a decent shelter, are asking, “Why didn’t we dodge that bullet?” The only answer is to give, is “That we live in uncertain times, and we live with the knowledge that prophesy has foretold us of natural disasters and moral decay in the end of times.” We must not stray from the knowledge that You are coming for us very soon. We must hold on for a bit longer. We must not give up, and take off our vest of protection. The armor of God that will bring us through these perilous times until we see You, and hear that trumpet…knowing that our Savior is finally here to take us home!

I will not fear the bullets that are shot by the enemy–the ones that are meant to take away our faith and our peace. We know whom we are believed, and who is able to take our pain away. “Hold on survivors!!” I promise you all, that Your redeemer is on His way. We must not grow weary now! God, I put my complete trust in You now. I will survive the bullet of pain, the bullet of natural disaster, the bullet of marital strife, the bullet of contention, the bullet of deceit and lies, the bullet of disease and suffering. You are coming and we must acknowledge that You have the power to dodge all of these from our lives. I pray for protection and for strength to fight the good fight as our dear friend Paul had the courage to do. We know what lies ahead in the final showdown. We already know who the victor is!

Praise God, Your coming for me–and all of those who have put their trust in You alone, We will dodge those bullets–as we await for our victor of battle!

Gina