Mark Nolan
Many say that we are products of our environments, and I can certainly say that of myself. As part of a large and busy family we went through many stressful times together, and what did Mother teach us to do at such times? Enter a state of blind panic, expect only the worst and be dramatic about it.
I was forty years old before I learned that there was another way, a glorious way, a way of peace beyond worldly understanding, a peace that is found in only one place, more specifically only one person; The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
When Jesus comes in, all that He is comes in too including His peace, but our old habits still need to be brought to the cross for the new way to burst forth.
TIGHT SPOTS
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve become so engrossed in the problem that you’ve completely forgotten that you are a new creation in Christ and that He is your ever present help in time of need?
Let me share a time when I was in a very tight spot. Before I knew it, the old panic nature was about to explode without restraint, and The Lord wonderfully turned the whole thing from a disaster to an open door.
I was working as a coach driver, and on this occasion I was taking passengers on a lovely day trip to a medieval market followed by a ride on a steam train. After enjoying the market, it was arranged for everyone to be back at the coach for 2pm, allowing time to get to the train station for their 3pm ride. My passengers were mainly elderly, and “loading” took much longer than anticipated leaving just 20 minutes to reach the train station.
The pressure began and the heat was on. My boss (who was also driving a coach on the same outing) rang me to ask where I was and to pre-warn me that the traffic was particularly heavy. More pressure.
Of course, the traffic was horrendous! We were crawling along the main road in the heat of the day, and I could feel my blood pressure rising as I envisioned my red-raced boss and an army of angry pensioners coming after me.
I spotted a sign for the train station leading off the main road. I didn’t know the area at all, and I supposed the sign led to a more direct route than the one I had planned, so I turned off down the B road only to find that it was a narrow, windy country lane lined with trees and only wide enough for a single vehicle.
Have you ever been in situations when things really do go from bad to worse? I was soon faced with on-coming traffic, and despite my best efforts to squeeze over to the side (backing into a tree in the process), there was no way a car could pass by my 8ft wide coach! My boss was trying to get hold of me, sweat was dripping off my face, and I had 8 minutes to get to the station on time.
How did I get into this mess? More importantly how was I going to get us out of it? Would a Chinook helicopter be able to air lift the coach? “What are you going to do now driver?” came a voice from the back of the coach. It had crossed my mind to abandon ship and do a runner, but that was totally out of the question. As I was about to cast off all restraint and unleash the pressure that had reached it’s maximum point, by the grace of God, I remembered God!! I can pray! So I did. “Oh God help me!”
I took my phone and called my wife, explaining the situation and asked her to pray. Just by doing that, relief started to come in. I didn’t know how we were going to move forward, but I had handed over the helplessness of the situation to The One Who has all the answers and all the capabilities.
Sitting in the drivers seat, I prayed and the sense of panic began to subside and started to be replaced with calm and peace. While I was still praying and waiting, two younger passengers got off the coach by the middle door and ran down the lane of cars that were facing us. To my utter gratitude, they managed to reverse the build up of cars, clearing the road ahead. The relief was indescribable as the coach was able to move at last.
We met with our two helpers at the end of the lane, who were greeted back on board with a rapturous applause! Needless to say we missed the train, but when we eventually arrived at the station, a lady with a clipboard welcomed us with the good news that they had provided anther train for us in 45 minutes time. She added that one of the other coaches had also found themselves down the same road as us!
After all that, my passengers disembarked, thanking me as they went off to stretch their legs and enjoy a leisurely coffee in the station café. What a complete change. My blood pressure had finally started to return to normal. Hallelujah! God IS our ever present help in time of need.
The last passenger to leave the coach was a smartly dressed lady in her seventies. She stopped at the doorway and said to me, “I’d like to buy you a coffee, if you’d like one.” I was surprised with her generosity and was glad to accept her invitation. I was ready for a drink!
We found a place to sit on the platform and she went to the café, returning with some drinks. She sat at the side of me and said, “Can I ask you a question?” “Of course” I replied. “How did you remain so calm in such a high pressure situation?”
Calm?? Oh praise The Lord for His grace. Not only did He get us out of a tight spot, He also helped me keep my boiling anxieties under some kind of control, enough so to appear to have been calm! I knew this question was an opening to tell this lady about Jesus, and I never let these opportunities pass.
“Jesus helped me” I answered. “I rang my wife and asked her to pray for His help.” The lady shook her head and smiled. I added, “I’m a born-again Christian and I believe Jesus answers prayers. Do you believe?”
Excitedly she answered, “Yes I do! In fact, a young man who is also a born-again Christian has been teaching me the Bible at my home for quite some time.”
We had a wonderful time as we chatted and rejoiced that The Lord had used the situation to touch us both. We exchanged numbers and stayed in touch, encouraging each other that God IS our ever present help in time of need, just PRAY!
LIFE ON THE ALTAR 