Pray and Move

God is looking for humble people who are willing to go on missions for heaven—even if that means just a simple phone call, a few words, or a sincere prayer. Are you willing to stop and listen to His voice?

The weather forecast warned of an approaching storm with wind gusts of more than 60 miles (96 kilometers) per hour. As the sky darkened and the wind began to whistle, Bryce carefully guided his car home. Springtime storms were not uncommon in his area of the eastern United States, but they were rarely severe.

Back at the house, Bryce’s parents sensed that this storm was an angry one. Thunder and lightning increased as strong winds tossed trees and tore off branches. “This is becoming much worse than we expected,” Mom remarked. “I would feel better if I knew that Bryce wasn’t driving through it.”

“God’s angels are with him.” Dad touched her gently on the shoulder. “He’s in good hands.”

When the sound of the wind changed from a howl to the rumble of a driving train overhead, the couple sought shelter in the back bathroom—away from windows and outer walls—for safety. As they huddled together, they prayed for their son’s safety. Then suddenly Mom raised her head. Something prompted her to do something specific. “Call Bryce. Call him now!”

“OK,” Dad said as he reached for his cell phone.

Meanwhile, Bryce struggled to view the road as wind and rain buffeted the car. Windshield wipers barely kept the water off the windshield, and small, tumbling branches scratched the sides of his car. With some relief he reached the familiar road that led to his driveway. Suddenly he heard a crack, and a large tree fell with a crash—directly in front of his car. Leaves flew in every direction. “Whoa!” Bryce exclaimed. What to do next? He shifted his car into reverse and began to back away from the blockage. And that was when his phone rang.

Every second counts when it comes to working in His service!

It’s Dad. Bryce pressed his foot on the brake and then clamped the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

Crack—crash. His car reeled with the impact of a massive tree trunk. Metal bent and glass shattered as another tree crashed through the back of his car and flattened the rear passenger section.

“Son, are you OK?” Dad asked.

Bryce blinked. “Yeah, I think so. But my car isn’t—there’s a tree in my back seat!”

He leaped outside and surveyed the downed tree in front of the car, and the tree on the back of it. “A few seconds more, and I would have been sitting where that second tree fell.”

“Praise God for His protection,” Dad breathed. “I’ll come and get you.”

Once Bryce safely arrived home, they reviewed every detail of the experience together with awe. In response to prayer, God convicted a mother to call her son when seconds made all the difference.

In a way, life is a storm—a clash between light and darkness, a testing time that determines whom we put our trust in. Are you turning to the One who can guide you through the storm? Listen for God’s voice—a quiet, steady voice in your mind that reminds you to do right—and respond. Be ready to act when He speaks! Every second counts when it comes to working in His service! And the good news? The joy of working for the King of kings lasts forever.