TITLE: Accidents Happen
TEXT: Luke 13:1-5
PROPOSITION: Accidents suddenly change our lives.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Lessons
Introduction:
3 months ago, I had an accident while riding my bicycle.
I am healing.
Here are some lessons to learn.
Luke 13:1-5
Jesus mentions two events that were current news in Jerusalem.
Pilate sacrificed some from Galilee as human sacrifices.
Construction accident in which scaffold fell and 18 were killed.
Today same kind of news
Roadside bomb in Iraq kills several
Airplane crash kills 225 people
One entire family is killed on by a drunk driver
My accident
Riding my bike for exercise. Dog running beside me. Suddenly he turned in front of my wheel. No reaction time.
I went over the handlebars and hit the left side of my face on the pavement.
Your prayers, visits, help, transportation, kind words, phone calls, and all other ways you supported Janet and I during this time are appreciated.
It has been 3 months since the accident.
I am able to chew again the jaw has healed
Surface injuries healed and are a distant memory
Still waiting for left eye and facial nerves to heal
Still dealing with hearing problem.
Will always have a twisted upper jaw.
Still have an almost closed nostril broken cartilage
Lessons to learn
Accidents are sudden
They are not on purposes
They happen when we least anticipate or expect them
We CAN forget block out painful things
I remember hitting the dog with my bike wheel
The next thing I remember in hospital heading for CT scan
We must be patient
Some healing takes a few days
Some healing takes months or longer
We must be flexible
Accidents change our plans
Accidents change our priorities
We must learn to be flexible to change
People care, are kind and supportive
We can do what we HAVE to do
Child or spouse in hospital
Death of family member
1 Corinthians 10:13 not tempt us beyond what we are able to bear
We must get on with life not put everything on hold
We know that it will take time to heal
We know that there are some restrictions while we are healing
But our life can not be put on hold
Driving the car I got a convex mirror and learned to use it
Preaching get back to work if people can understand me
Some personal traits helped me through this ordeal
Realist accept what can not change
Optimist look ahead with hope, not back with regret
Not a quiter it never occurred to me to quit
Faith gives Strength as I was taken to surgery, no fear, just anticipation of healing
Little things aggravate more than the major injuries
Most groan at loss of eyesight and broken jaw
They were the easiest to deal with
It isn't the detour that troubles us. It is the pebble in our shoe.
Upper teeth twisted tilted, turned to right, front teeth off center
Cartilage in nose one nostril almost closed
No feeling in lower lip embarrassment in eating, drinking
Slight hearing loss an aggravation in noisy places and in Bible class
Lesson Jesus teaches
Were those who died punished because they were more wicked than others in Jerusalem? NO! This was an accident or an act of an evil man.
These events are not punishment from God.
Job did not charge God with wrong. Job 1:22
The message we should get REPENT OR PERISH!