Proper first aid is do not panic in a panic situation. Pray first! Which is always the most effective first aid, and which can help you avoid a panic situation. But what do you do when you come upon one? What do you do when you are the first one upon a scene of an accident? Do you look away in horror, maybe pray, and then start to complain about the traffic? Do you call someone on your cell-911? Or do you stop and see how you can provide assistance? How you respond will tell us more about your walk with God than maybe even you want to know. Two examples-
I was coming home down I-15 when I saw traffic suddenly slowing down to a stop. Lane splitting I got to the front, where two cars had hit-one on its back still. All occupants were out, and someone was on the phone calling 911. I stopped to see what if anything else needed to be done, while praying the whole time, and saw traffic backing up-4 lanes of it! So I pulled across the freeway, and started directing traffic, away from the accident-making a lane for emergency vehicles to get through. Within a few minutes I had traffic flowing from a standstill and moving at 25mph. The lane was clear, CHP and a fire truck and an ambulance had gotten through, and the victims were being treated. Each one of us had done our job, and while directing traffic, many said "hey thanks!" grateful they weren't stuck in a worse traffic snarl. The CHP officers even gave me thumbs up, as I had taken control of the scene-no panic, and they could do their job. I had asked God what to do, and He showed me! A true lesson in obedience. And a lesson I was to be reminded of repeatedly when inn Joplin after the tornado. Do what you need to do with what is in front of you! And you must finish one step before going to another. It wasn't until afterwards that a CHP officer told me it was smart to clear an emergency lane. I had never thought of it, it just happened when I redirected the traffic-I'm glad God did!
On another occasion, God also reminded me of why not to ride with Pharisees. We were out and riding with some Pharisee types whose idea of evangelism was pushing the Bible in everyone's face they could. We came upon two new bikes stuck on the side of the road. Very low miles-what a bummer. They had tried everything, including running down the battery while trying to start the bike that had died. After asking him what happened, I checked for gas-he was empty! That had caused the bike to stall, and then the battery to die after repeated tries. While doing this, the Pharisee I was riding with had taken out his Bible and stuck it in his friend's face and was trying to tell Him about the mercy of God. He was more interested in his friend's bike, and finally took a Bible just to get rid of the Pharisee. When I told him what the problem was, he called the dealership where they had bought the bikes, explained they were out of gas, and the dealership was sending some out. At no charge. He thanked me-and looking at the Pharisee told me we could go-they would wait alone. I wish I could have waited with them, for at our next stop, the Pharisee bragged about giving away a Bible-which may end up in the trash. God had shown me a better way, for just like Jesus asked the Pharisees,"what is easier to say, rise up and walk, or your sins are forgiven?" That day it was what is easier, seeing god's mercy or being browbeaten with it? Which one of us do you think these riders will remember? The one who took advantage of them in this situation, or the one who met their need? Again-praying first helps, as I am no mechanic, and wouldn't have thought to ask about fuel myself. Years later when I ran out on a new bike with 3.2 miles on it, I was reminded and a man stopped to help, who had fuel and I was able to get on down the road. He didn't preach either-just gave me gas, would accept no cash, and waited until the bike started and then followed me for a few miles to the next exit-before honking, waving, and going on.
How do you handle panic? Join in or join Jesus? It takes a mindset of looking for God, and to God. Evangelism goes much farther than just passing out tracts, and then picking them off the sidewalk later. It is not about passing out Bible when someone is stuck. It is not about Pharisee types bragging about how they solved the problem. It is about Jesus, and letting Him guide you. When Jesus gave sight to the blind man, and he was asked about it, he replied, "all I know is I was blind and now I see."
Ask the guys out of gas, for they were blind, and I was able to show them the answer. Ask those stuck in traffic, they were blind but I was able to provide a way around the problem. And ask the people involved in the accident-who got the care because the ambulance could get through.
All because I prayed first, and let God show me what to do. Pray and obey. He knew the answers needed. Because I didn't know what to do, except panic too. And He did the rest. The right thing. Simple obedience from a man who just happened to be there, that God knew would be there, and who He had prepared before time began. Why panic when we have God? Seek Him first...it is so much easier, and He will take care of the problem. If we let Him.
How many Pharisees are ever written about that solved a problem by keeping a law? And how many did Jesus heal, in the spirit? Remember that, for you could be the next person needing help, and however and whoever responds may have a direct outcome on the event. Jesus Christ-the ultimate first aid kit. Don't leave home without HIM!
I don't care about your religion or politics while stuck on the side of the road. I just want to get going. So don't try to impress with what you know, but meet my need by WHO you know. Trust God. And let Him direct. Amazing this grace thing. But I'll bet you all knew that already anyway.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com