Traffic Stop

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

About three weeks ago, I accompanied my husband to a Gideon camp in another city a couple of hours from our home.  Since he is an area director for the State of Texas, his duties were to assist the camp in conducting their annual election of officers. 

On our way home, around 10:30 that night, we were pulled over by a police officer in a small town not far from home. The officer told Ray that he had changed lanes twice without signaling. Ray apologized. The officer then asked us the usual questions: Where are you headed, where have you been, may I see your proof of insurance and driver’s license, etc.? He then proceeded to return to his patrol car to “check us out” on his computer. We were both hoping that there would be no citation involved in this traffic stop. While the officer was momentarily gone, I might say that Ray was very baffled. He said for sure the young man would give him a citation if he knew that he (Ray) didn’t even remember changing lanes in the first place, much less not signaling. Oh, dear!

Returning to our vehicle, the young officer suggested that Ray remember to use his signal from now own and told us to have a safe trip home.  PTL, no ticket!  We thanked him. Ray then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a  New Testament and handed it to the officer. He told him that it was a gift for him. The young officer thanked Ray, happily accepted the New Testament, and stated that he usually kept one in his patrol car, but didn’t have one at this time.  As we drove off, I silently said a prayer for this young man, knowing what thankless jobs first responders often have.  I prayed that God’s Word would not return void in this situation. I commented to Ray that the traffic stop might have happened just so the young police officer would receive the Testament. He agreed with my line of thinking.

Because we have seen firsthand and through testimonies of those affected by the life-changing Word of God, only He knows for sure how many lives that one little Testament will touch. The young officer may be reading it himself. He may regularly share it with someone in need of spiritual help as the Holy Spirit directs, or he may have the opportunity of sharing Jesus, the Hope of the world, with someone that he arrests. Whatever the case, there are so many exciting possibilities for that one little Testament, and I totally believe that we were placed in the middle of where God was working so that He might be glorified. These are the moments when we know that God will use us to share our faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if only we make ourselves available—even during traffic stops!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the traffic stops of life where we have unusual opportunities to share Jesus with the world. Help us to always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading in telling others about You.  We love you, Jesus.  Amen.