For the Crumpled, Crushed and Brokenhearted

It was the first time I ever witnessed such a tragedy. 

Driving along a rural highway with early morning sunlight dazzling the dew covered fields, I noticed a beautiful bird in the distance.  It flew into view and majestically swooped low a few feet above the ground.  Its wings seemed to barely skim the misty surface of the earth.  It was exquisite to watch.

I became alarmed however, when I noticed the bird’s flight path shift and it started to fly straight toward me.  On and on the bird came.  I took my foot off the accelerator and prepared to break hard.  With a flurry of wings and a whoosh of feathers the bird passed just inches from the hood of my car.  Though relieved, the encounter was too close for my comfort. 

Quickly I glanced into the rearview mirror to make sure the bird was all right.  To my horror I saw it slam into the grillwork of another car traveling about 10 feet behind me and over one lane.  The bird had been blind-sided, its view blocked by my vehicle.  The crushed creature was thrown back into my lane a crumpled heap of flesh and feathers.  Within moments a third car following a short distance behind me encountered the bird lying on the freeway and....I don’t like to remember anymore of the visual details.

Poor bird.  Smashed by the unexpected.  Flying free and majestic one moment, then narrowly missing a car only to be blind-sided by another and finished off by a third.  It all happened so quickly, without any warning and with such a tragic end.

Perhaps it’s not unlike the human experience.  Life flies by from day to day with little thought for what may lie ahead.  When suddenly WHAM—tragedy strikes.  A phone call with dreadful news.  The doctor’s test comes back critical.  A lawyer serves up the papers.  The bank account runs dry. 

We may narrowly miss some big problem only to be blind-sided by another.  Falling into an emotionally crumpled heap of flesh and feathers we look up in time to see the grillwork of another crisis headed our way.

Scripture gives no assurance of an easy life.  In fact, it warns quite the opposite.  As long as you live on this planet, there will be pain, hardship and adversity.  Notice these words of wisdom:

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 NLT

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.  You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.”  James 1:2-3 CEV

Trouble is not always avoidable.  But there is a tender, caring God who is close when times are hard.  God doesn’t promise to always save from problems, but He does promise to always go through them with us.  Side by side.  Heart to heart.  Hurt by hurt.  God is there.  His power is in His presence.  And it is in the emotionally crumpled moments His presence means the most.  

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV

Todd Chobotar
Mission development
Florida Hospital