DIVINE COLLABORATION - The Story - Part 5

　
　
Perhaps I have persuaded you by now why I saw this DMV vision test as God’s hand of Sovereignty in protecting the world - and me - from further calamities. I suspected, too, that the angels I know surround me when I drive, were pleading for early retirement due to excessive job stress…


The day of the DMV Vision Test finally loomed, and I arrived at the Pomona DMV without any troubles - except unless you count going the wrong way in the parking lot at the DMV - which I quickly remedied. I had an appointment for 1:15. It was only 12:45. The line was clear out of the building and down the side. I stood in that line for awhile, until it dawned on me that maybe people with appointments have another line! Don’t you love those Divine Nudges - the elbow of God pushing into your thoughts? “Slow down”. “Stop”. “You’re in the wrong line”. I risked losing my place to heed His nudge...



I saw this smiling lady in a uniform with a badge that said, “Information”. I hopefully asked her if there was a line for appointments. She looked at my paperwork and then did the most gracious thing: She escorted me directly to a window where there was no line! “Memo to God”, I said, “Remember to bless this woman, Lord. She is a joyful servant!” I signed in and was told to wait for my name to be called at 1:15.



I sat and began meditating on how I almost missed my appointment by waiting in the wrong line. I closed my eyes for a bit and thanked Him for the Divine Nudge. I had chosen a seat close to an exam window so I could rehearse. You know: covering one eye, then the other…But the letters were pretty much a blur at that distance… Then, I thought that because the place was so loud, I might not hear when my name was called! I picked up my purse and scouted out a seat closer to the lady who promised to call my name. I quickly realized that she was using a booming public announcement system that that could wake the dead. Oh, well, I wasn’t going to move again…and the wall clock was clearly in my seeing distance. I wanted to be certain that when 1:15 came around, the lady didn’t forget me.


Something was happening in me at this point - I realized I wanted to pass the vision test with all my heart - and I knew God had known that all along…


The clock ticked onto 1pm, and I let my eyes roam around the warehouse atmosphere of the DMV. So many people! Young, old - although not too old - because we all know they shouldn’t be driving anyway - and I realized I was probably the oldest one there! With that observation, I shuddered that I could soon be relegated to the ranks of the “license-less”.
　　
　　
I think Satan or one of his cohorts must have saddled up next to me at this point, because all manner of evil was released in my mind through my eyes. Satan devises Demonic Moments to lead us to Demonic Destinies, just like God designs Divine Moments for Divine Destinies. This was a Demonic Moment for sure for I was given eyes to see the depravity of humanity in the DMV. I saw sloppy, ignorant, rude, angry, rebellious people. Parents ignoring their unruly kids, girls and women donning inappropriately suggestive clothing, and the seedy men slyly eyeing them. Then my ears were invaded with inane, secular discussions. But the worst was the filthy language rising up from behind me. I was indignant at the many people speaking in different languages, and that foreigners who cannot even read English are given licenses. Oh, I was lost in judgment and self-righteousness. My eyes saw everything clearly. Sinners.


The Lord did not nudge me this time. He looked at me - like when Peter denied Jesus the third time in the courtyard and Jesus turned around and looked Peter in the eyes. Caught. He saw me judging these people with eyes of pride. I was immediately ashamed.



Was I really any different from any of these? Me? A drug addict, an alcoholic, a thief, a liar? What about my anger, foul mouth, laziness, pride, ignorance, disrespect, perversions, and rebellion against authority, judgment and self-righteousness? The only difference between these sinners and me was that Jesus gave me eyes to see His Divine Moment of Glory as Savior on the cross and to see myself as a sinner, then gave me the grace to repent. And I needed to repent for the log that had just lodged in my right eye. I asked Jesus: “Let me see these people as You see them.” Every man and woman I looked at, looked like me…they were all blind!

 Then I saw the possibilities for salvation in that place! I was a sinner saved by grace! These could be saved by grace, too! I wanted to sing, “Amazing Grace”! I wanted to shout to them, “I was blind, but now I see”! I looked at the blind souls around me, and I loved them! I loved them!


“Kathy Vince Voorhies Sterkel, go to Window 5”.

To be Continued in Part 6...