Some things take a long time to develop, but there are other things that can change in an instant.

When you to see a river with all its turns and bends, you know it has taken decades for that shape to develop. You also know that in twenty or thirty years there will be new bends in that river. The changes will happen very slowly. 

This is also true in politics. When a policy or bill is passed, it often takes a great amount of time before we see the impact of that legislation. So much time passes that when the outcome occurs we often don’t even connect it back to what was voted on.

On the other hand, some things happen incredibly fast and the impact is realized in an instant. 

A car accident is like that. One little distraction, one slip of the hand, a heavy foot on the gas pedal or brake and impact occurs. 

The other day I was playing hockey and things changed for me in an instant. I had brought the puck into the opposition’s zone and then passed the puck to a trailing teammate. At that point, I coasted along the boards down toward the net. I saw my teammate’s shot and that the puck was going in the direction of the net. 

But then, out of nowhere, I saw the puck about an inch from my face just before it hit my lower lip.

I learned later that the shot hit the goalie’s pad and he deflected it to the side, right when I was cruising by. It stopped when it hit my face.

Immediately I took off my glove and put my hand to my mouth. When I removed it, I saw the blood. It was flowing. I knew I was not dealing with just a scrape. 

I put my hand back to my mouth to keep the blood from drenching my jersey and the ice while I made my way to the dressing room.

Fortunately it was minor; just my bottom front teeth went into my lip. I was able to stop the bleeding. And the end result was just a sore jaw and a few cuts on the inside of my now swollen, bruised lip.

What amazed me was how things changed in an instant. I didn’t see it coming; it happened so fast and the impact was immediate. 

What a contrast to the things in life that take so long to develop that we think they have always been there. 

Either way, whether things happen over a long time or in an instant, we need to pay attention because the impact may cause some degree of discomfort. 

Here’s the thing: Life rolls along year after year, decade after decade. We make choices, decisions and deals that cause our life to take a certain shape. Mostly things develop slowly over time. We might not even pay attention to the direction in which we are heading. But there comes a time when things will change in an instant. That will be the moment we die. The impact will be immediate and if you’ve been lulled by many years of much of the same, you might not be ready to face God.

In that instant it will be too late to make a change or make the right move. It’s far better to consider God’s offer now and live accordingly. God’s offer is Jesus, who died for our sins, will take our sin away and put us in right standing with God. Put your faith in Jesus and allow Him to help shape the rest of your life. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: How well have you handled those events that happen in an instant and make an immediate impact? Leave your comments and questions below.

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