As I write this post, it’s been just a couple of hours since I heard the news that the former president had an assassination attempt on his life. What in the world? Insane stuff. I’ve been thinking about all of the iconic pictures we will all remember. The defiance in the face of Trump. His fearlessness was incredible. But mostly, I’ve been thinking to myself, how did that bullet just barely touch Trump’s ear? What are the chances?
Our first president, George Washington
I don’t know a ton about George Washington, but one thing I know is a story about one of the first battles he was in as an officer. He led the charge towards the enemy and courageously fought in a fierce battle. After the fight, Washington realized he had several holes in his coat from gun shots. However, he was not injured.
Same same, but different. Honestly, what are the odds?
It’s obvious that the LORD had his hand on George Washington throughout his military career and life in general. There are way too many “coincidences” to say otherwise. Of course, from our vantage point, we can see how instrumental Washington was in helping to establish the United States. Who knows what would have happened without this incredible forefather? The LORD used this man in incredible ways. Unbelievably, Washington seemed to be bulletproof when he was a young soldier fighting in the Army.
Zvi
There are so many amazing stories like this. I remember reading “ZVI: The Miraculous Story of Triumph Over the Holocaust” several years ago. Unfortunately, it’s a hard to come by book, but he had a similar story to both Trump and Washington. If I remember it correctly (it’s been almost 10 years since I read the book!) at one point, he got up in the middle of a battle, and out of frustration walked straight through a mine field. Shockingly, he was unscathed.
Literally, bulletproof.
Bulletproof
But then I realized, technically, we all are bulletproof. That is, until the LORD calls us home. Clearly, the LORD still has things for Trump to do (as well as the LORD working on Trump’s heart). But no one can convince me that was a fluke. I don’t think that it’s just random coincidence that the probable candidate for the Republican party and former president, who should be one of the most protected people in the world, just got shot. But he walked away with a bullet that GRAZED HIS EAR. One moment before he was shot, his head was turned in such a way, he would have been killed for sure. Instead, he got a grazed ear.
I don’t understand why certain people are chosen over others to be placed in positions of power and influence. Trump is flawed, to be sure. But obviously, the LORD is protecting him for a reason.
You too
And the same can be said for each one of us. The majority of us probably won’t ever be shot at, thankfully. However, if you’ve ever been in a car, you have to have realized you are just a couple feet away from a disastrous head on collision on most roads. Since I run in the mornings, I can appreciate the tight space I have to run on. It would take a very small turn of the steering wheel to run me right over.
It is by God’s grace that we live and breath. But we have a choice every day to make. We can live in fear of what potentially can happen or what has already happened. Or we can bravely face the future and choose to trust God for whatever happens. Our attitude makes all the difference.
I realize it can be scary. But at the end of the day, the LORD is sovereign over it all. We won’t always understand, but we’re here for a reason. Will we trust him?
Taking a deep dive
I once was listening to Francis Chan and he explained this concept perfectly with a personal anecdote. He once went deep water diving. Before he went down, the expert diver who was leading the small expedition told Chan that if he felt uncomfortable at any moment, just signal and they could go back up. As they slowly descended into the depths of the ocean, Chan started to feel scared. Actually, he started to panic. The realization that he was so deep under water and that he could easily die flashed through his mind. He was ready to go up.
But then, he thought to himself, “Wait a second!” He could die at any time. As in ANY. TIME. He could die dramatically in the depths of the ocean from something going wrong, or he could die walking down the street. Doesn’t matter. Did he believe God or didn’t he? Was He sovereign, or not?
So when the expert diver signaled to him, asking if he’d like to go deeper or go up, Chan decided to give him an enthusiastic thumb’s up to go deeper and explore further.
He is good
It’s scary and thrilling all at the same time living our lives out for the LORD. That doesn’t give us license to be reckless, but it gives us freedom to live our lives without fear, trusting that God knows what He is doing. We are all literally bulletproof until it’s time for us to be with Him (those of us who are followers and believers in Christ).
Pray for our country and President Trump. Pray for the family of the man who was shot and killed. Pray also for the family of the shooter. And I pray that each one of us takes this time to reflect on not only the brevity of life, but the blessing of life. I pray that we live our lives to the full, all for His glory and our good. We can trust Him to guide us and strengthen us every step of the way.
He is good. Amen?
