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An Open Letter to
Truckers All Across America
A Fast Tract
Copyright 2004 M. J. Greene
At 12:30 pm EST on March 27, 2004, fifty-two miles into my automobile trip from Gatlinburg, TN to Raleigh, NC, I cautiously made my way through the steep grades on Interstate 40. At that moment my otherwise uneventful 700 mile trip became one I'll never forget. Many of you witnessed the same horror I did as we arrived at the section of highway just west of the east bound tunnel. With winter finally over, it was a beautiful day for traveling --except for at least one unfortunate soul. As I came around a curve I saw the stalled traffic in the west bound lanes. What remained of an eighteen wheeler lay destroyed and almost un-recognizable on the other side of the barrier. I do not know if there were other vehicles involved. It had probably been several hours since the time of the accident. Clearly, a life threatening crisis was in progress or was now over. I had no way of knowing the fate of those involved.
Followers of the True Christ are directed to pray for those in authority.[i] Considered collectively, the trucking industry is a type of 'corps' and therefore a God-ordained authority, worthy of the fervent prayers[ii] offered for the benefit of its members. Appreciative of how truckers impact my life, I Immediately prayed for this downed truck driver. My heart went out to him. I wondered, was his trailer empty after a successful haul, possibly contributing to losing control? Had he been enjoying the beautiful spring weather as he expectantly returned home and perhaps paid less attention than he would have normally? Did he have any warning or foreknowledge of the nightmare he experienced? Since there was no way to offer direct assistance, due to the cement barrier between the east and west bound lanes, I knew the most effective response I could offer was prayer. Not knowing whether the driver was at that moment struggling for his life, I asked the One True God[iii], the omniscient[iv], omnipotent[v] Creator of the universe to spare his soul --to graciously intervene on his behalf, that this trucker might live to praise God for His goodness and mercy. I prayed it was not this driver's time to meet his Maker. I knew my heavenly Father's perfect will is always on time -- never too late, never too early. I will probably never know the outcome of this tragedy but I cared for that soul in need and I prayed for God's perfect will to prevail. I prayed for strength for him and his family.
As I continued to drive east in smoothly flowing traffic --I also asked for the Holy Spirit to comfort and provide patience for those caught in the clogged west bound lanes. Hearing of the accident on CB's and cell phones, many drivers who passed the Maggie Valley exit must have known what lay ahead. Yet some, I'm certain, had no idea. They were probably irritated and frustrated by the unexpected slow down in their travel. I prayed for relief from the spoiled trips caused for many drivers --the missed deadlines and the pressure to arrive on time despite the interruption. I prayed for the loved ones back home who were thankful to hear by phone or radio that their husband, father, son or brother had been spared this anguish. I prayed that the spiritual truth of the tragedy would touch lives in order that they would be changed and conformed to God's perfect will.[vi]
This is the spiritual truth of the Word I was reminded of as I prayed: All of life seems to lead us down endless roads of our own making. Yet, each and every one of these self determined paths ultimately arrives at one of two entirely different eternal destinations[vii]. And, like the high and impenetrable east/west barrier that prevented me from crossing over on Interstate 40, there is an actual impenetrable chasm[viii] that divides these two divergent and separate eternal destinations. Despite the myths, lies and distortions of truth some have heard read and believed, there is absolutely no way anyone is able to cross over from, visit and return from, be carried away from or changed back from their eternal destination --after the last breathe is taken. At the precise instant of physical death, one's eternal destiny is forever sealed. So called 'Near Death Experiences', 'Out-of-Body Experiences' or surviving a 'clinical death' are events experienced on this side of eternity. Except for documented medical reversals of clinical death, the source of these other imaginations is almost always a demonic fabrication --a counterfeit masquerading as reality. It is true that on rare occasion, an angel on assignment from the Most High God snatches an individual from death's grip.[ix] But almost always, death comes quickly, without warning and with no possibility of return.[x]
This is reality[xi]: It is appointed ONCE for men (and women) to die and after death comes the judgment.[xii] This is a personal appointment for you and me, divinely determined before our lives began. Even if it is the only appointment you'll ever meet on time, you will arrive at your pre-determined eternal destination. None of us can cheat the grim reaper from claiming our body[xiii], but there is a way we can be certain our eternal soul will escape the clutches of the adversary before we arrive at death's door.
The truthful facts of eternal destiny are never affected or modified by:
--personal bias or beliefs contrary to the simple truth of the saving gospel
--perceived 'goodness' of one's life, marred by innocent, good intentions
--misunderstandings based on willful belief in false spiritual teachings
As we travel the road to our final destination, some know they are on the 'right' side of the impenetrable barrier because they have asked for and received assurance of eternal life, according to the only true plan determined by Life's Designer[xiv]. Others travel in abject defiance of the many signs which signal they are traveling on the 'wrong' side of the barrier, on the wrong road. And, very sadly, some are like those who traveled the west bound lanes of Interstate 40, who don't have a clue what lies ahead. This is reality: It is entirely within your control to know, understand and receive the truth that leads to eternal life and to act upon that knowledge, understanding and truth for the eternal benefit of your soul. If you will believe the only sacred Word of God, the Holy Bible, forsaking all other ways, philosophies, religions, traditions, authorities or ideologies, you can travel to your eternal destination and be assured you will arrive at eternal life rather than eternal death, suffering and separation from your Creator.
When you find yourself frustrated with what may appear to be interruptions, detours and outright roadblocks in life, it would be wise to consider that the Holy Spirit may be working to gain your undivided attention before it is too late for you to pay attention. Interruptions in self-determined paths of personal fulfillment can be opportunities to take stock of our situation --to find out if potential danger lies ahead --on a dead end road we are traveling.
If you've been taking stock of your situation, responding to the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit, I urge you to consider the certain danger ahead. I encourage you to acknowledge you are vulnerable and need assurance of your eternal security. At the website for Paraclete Press Research Service, Inc., www.pprsinc.com, you will find information on soul saving truth that will feed your dying soul. Click on "Seeking Truth?" to read a clear and simple explanation of the universal need for every soul to possess an earthly life found dead in Jesus Christ but eternally alive, based solely on faith in His substitute death, burial and resurrection, offered for the good of all and for His glory.[xv]
Post script: A little while later as I continued to pray on my drive I noted a glimpse of a glorious truth and hope in the otherwise tragic situation. The sun shone brightly and glistened on a small waterfall that tumbled down the steep face of the mountain --the same mountain that had come between this truck driver and his safe journey. That waterfall was a reminder that it is only the True Water of Life, the Living Word, Jesus, who gives us hope in our deepest trials.[xvi]
[This copyrighted Open Letter may be reproduced ONLY in its entirety, and only for the purpose of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No fee may be charged for copying or transmitting. Direct all comments or inquiries to M. J. Greene, POB 4778 Sevierville, TN 37864 or email the author at the Contact Page, www.pprsinc.com.]
[i] 1 Tim 2:1-4
[ii] James 5:16
[iii] Zech 14:9, Matt 23:9, 1 Cor 8:4,6, Eph 4:6
[iv] Job 42:2, Psa 33:13, 90:8, 139:1-12, Jer 23:24, Matt 6:4,8,32, Acts 15:18, Col 1:16-17, 1 Tim 1:17, Heb 4:13, Jude 1:25
[v] Gen 17:1, 35:11, Job 6:4, Psa 91:1, Jer 51:15, Luke 9:43, Heb 1:3, Rev 1:8
[vi] Act 26:18
[vii] Damnation: Rom 3:9, Gal 3:22, Eph 2:1-2, 12, 1 John 5:19b Salvation: John 11:25, Rom 6:10, Eph 2:5, Col 1:13, 2:13, 1 John 5:18-19a
[viii] Luke 16:26
[ix] Fear the True God who is able to destroy both body and soul Matthew 10:28
[x] So called 'prayers for the dead' are an imagined fabrication instilled in minds by the father of lies, Lucifer
[xi] In one sense the only true reality is ETERNITY. What are you doing to prepare for that reality?
[xii] Heb 9:27
[xiii] Though the Blessed Hope of some living today (those of the true Bride of Christ) is their likely soon gathering out from this
world, as assured by 1 Thess 4:15-18 and other verses of the Holy Bible
[xiv] John 14:6
[xv] Rom 6:2,8,11, Col 2:20, 3:3, 2 Tim 2:11
[xvi] John 3:5, 4:10-11, Eph 5:26, 7:38, 1 John 5:6,8, Rev. 21:6, 22:17
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