55. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. He accidentally caused serious physical injury to a person, and by God's grace, the person involved survived without complication.
9 November 2020
Saint Paul arrested, early 1900s Bible illustration
Publisher of Bible Cards • Public domain
Acts 14
In Iconium
4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
Acts 14
In Lystra and Derbe
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13 KJV)
But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye. (Exodus 21:23-24)
In his own words, Apostle Paul admitted he was once a violent man. That was when he was a Pharisee, before his encounter with the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:4-5).
1 Timothy 1
The Lord’s Grace to Paul
13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
He discovered how it was to be on the receiving end of persecution to the point of being imprisoned for his faith. Writing to the Corinthians, he opened his heart, saying, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
As Apostle Paul admitted, he was once a violent man, he acted in ignorance and unbelief.
The words of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 5
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. (KJV)
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Years ago, I accidentally caused serious physical injury to a man, and by God's grace, he survived, otherwise my legal and moral burden. The experience was really frightening. Before I narrate the details, let me first share my reflection on the above verses in Acts 14 which I had back 22 August 2017.
“The war on drug has caused serious division, as in any issue, there are two sides. Each has its own argument. But for sure there is only one truth, whoever is lying is liable to judgment.
Recent news point to summary execution even of a teenager student whose mother, an OFW, had to rush home from Saudi Arabia. Nothing can describe such pain, anguish, misery, heartbreak.
Lord, our country is acknowledged as the predominantly Christian nation in South East Asia. We claim even, as our currency is marked, Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon (Psalm 33:12). What a contradiction; as one news item said, there is a criminal in every Filipino, considering our seeming silence given the current state of our country. I pray for comfort for the families of victims in the rash of violence. Lord, heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). I pray for those in authority that peace and order be restored, for this is good and pleasing to You (1 Timothy 2:2-3). Lord, let Your power reign and things change for the better, that You be glorified, in Jesus' name. Amen.”
Now about the serious accident years ago I mentioned earlier, I was then driving home to Lipa from office in Alabang and I crossed the bridge entering Sto. Tomas. It was about six o'clock in the evening. I would say visibility was still good, I cannot remember if I put on the headlights.
From the bridge it was a bit uphill so I would say I pressed on the gas pedal. The road had been expanded with two lanes on each side, there was going development of a nearby industrial park a little ahead.
I was on the inner southbound lane, when suddenly I hit something infront, I slowed down stopping on the outer lane. From inside the car, I looked back and saw commotion on the northbound lane. I realized I must have hit a person landing on the other side of the road.
The people in the area is said to be known to gang up on the driver in case of such accident. I just stayed inside the car. Then somebody, seeming calm, approached the car, motioning to me to go over the other side to bring the victim to the hospital. Sensing it was safe, I obliged, othewise if my life was at risk I would drive to the police station.
Somebody helped lift the victim into the car and I brought him to the hospital. I later learned the victim was not a resident in the area but a transient construction worker in the industrial park.
At the time of the accident, he was most probably crossing from the outer lane to the other side of the road, and was said to be talking with a colleague on the other side and did not notice my car coming.
At the hospital, I called up my brother-in-law to fetch me and be the one to drive because I was really frightened. I called up the car insurance agent, it was a company car, and he assured me he will handle everything.
The medical examination came out and there was no threatening injury which was also a surprise to the doctor considering the circumstances. The victim was able-bodied being a construction worker and I came to know he was from Mindanao.
It was indeed a very frightening experience. By God's grace, it did not turn for the worst. It took time for me to overcome the incident and be able to drive again with ease.
It was a very unpleasant experience to cause injury to another person, even with the possibility that my own life was under threat.
I thank God that circumstances precluded legal and moral burden on my person; it is His grace from way back even when I was not yet the Christian I am today. Grace, indeed undeserved favor from the Lord Almighty.
Someday, my children's children will say, wala ka sa Lolo ko, he accidentally caused serious physical injury to a person, and by God's grace, the person involved survived without any complication.
Praying that God's grace be always upon everyone of us, and that He show mercy on those acting in violence due to ignorance and unbelief. Amen.
Maraming salamat.
Comments
Post a Comment