One of my favorite songs as a child was, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” I don’t know many times I have peered into the night sky and thought of that song. At times, I even sang it. So to me, the word “Twinkling,” meant something shiny and sparkly. That changed for me a few years ago in a dramatic way.
Tim and I were sitting at a red light at an intersection on Maynardville Hwy in Halls. The traffic light had turned green and cars from each side of the intersection were slowly venturing out to turn onto Maynardville Highway. That’s when something caught my eye. While all the other traffic on the highway had stopped, this one car was driving down the inside lane at a high rate of speed. Then I had a horrible realization. This car was not slowing down, at all and there were cars sitting in the intersection. I felt like I was watching a scene out of movie
My mouth dropped open. Tim noticed and the second he leaned over to ask me why we heard: “BAM!” “BAM!” He was so startled by the loud noises that he jumped out of his driver’s seat. The “BAMS” were the sounds that was made when the speeding car slammed into the ones trying to navigate through the intersection. On one of the cars, the front fender on the passenger side was very damaged. The other car was hit with so much force that it was knocked onto the grassy medium strip. I immediately prayed for everybody to be alright. And they were. Each occupant walked out of their cars.
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV)
Obviously, this verse is about the Rapture at Jesus’ return, but I see more in it as well. Our lives can change in the literal twinkling of an eye at any time. That doesn’t only refer to harmful things such as car wrecks. It can also mean amazing blessings such as a new birth in the family, a promotion, or (best of all) somebody accepting salvation. Always keep in mind that no matter what happens in the twinkling of an eye, the Lord is still in control.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
Witnessing that wreck had an impact on me. Before that day, I had never seen one. Now, when I get into my car, I not only pray for my safety, but for those in the other cars as well. There have even been times when I have also prayed for ear plugs while sitting next to another car at a red light.