Not Quite 23 & Invincible

The band Boys Like Girls’ lyrics of being “23 and invincible” have resonated with me as of late. I have gotten to a point where my life is very full. I love the life that I live, and it is full of people that I love incredibly dearly. I had been feeling as if my earthly life would continue on infinitely… until today.
I was driving down one of the local two-lane roads when I noticed the truck in front of me was carrying cargo that was poorly secured. The flat-bed truck had two large panels of some sort standing straight up that were each around 15 feet high, 5 feet wide, and approximately 2 inches thick. My mind is notorious for generating myriads of what-if situations, and this afternoon was no different as I contemplated how I would react and what would happen if these large panels finagled their way loose. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that there wasn’t much I could do if anything happened and that every scenario had a very real potential of ending in death. I shook my head as I forced myself to reality, telling myself that I had let my imagination get the best of me again and that the possibilities of the panels getting loose were slim. I slowed down a bit anyway just in case.
All it took was a split second and my crazy imaginings became reality. The two panels flew off the truck and began spiraling quickly toward me. My stomach jumped into my esophagus, my heart began to race, and I cried, “Dear, Jesus,” as my lungs refused anymore air. I quickly looked to see if I had any swerving options, but I was walled in on a bridge with nowhere to go. I slammed on the brakes, and wondered if this was going to be it.
Just a few feet from my car, the panels suddenly dropped flat to the ground and slid to a stop, a mere inch or two from my car. It was as if I a giant hand smacked them flat. I tried to start breathing again as my stomach tried to revolt and a few tears escaped from my eyes. All I could do was wait until they were moved, because they took up the entire road and utter my thanks to God.
When the road was clear again, I took a detour home giving me time to process my thoughts and emotions. My mind took off yet again with what-ifs. What if this had been the end of my earthly time? What if I had finally met Jesus face to face? Would I have been ready to defend my earthly life? Were my relationships with friends and my family at places where I could be satisfied that they knew I loved them and didn’t have anything to repent of? What if my family and friends had gotten an awful phone call today? What would have been their thoughts and reactions? Could I truly say that my girls had seen Jesus reflected in me? Had I tried my hardest and could honestly say that I left no loose ends? Would Jesus have said, “Well done, Grace”?
I’m not trying to be cocky, but I honestly feel if those panels had sent me to heaven around noon today, I would have been ready. I think I can say with confidence that as of noon today, I have loved and lived for Jesus as fully as I know how. I don’t think I’ve left anything unsaid or undone… yet. If it was earlier this week or last, it might have been a different story.
Apparently, God’s purpose for my life isn’t completed, because I’m still here. So instead of living as if I’m “23 and invincible”, I need to live whatever life I have left as if I have “one life to live,” because that’s the truth of the matter. This is my one chance to give it all I’ve got. Lord, may it be so.


“You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this.
One chance, to find out,
The one thing that you don’t wanna miss.
One day when it’s all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life…
To love.”- 33 Miles