"It may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears to be." 

~Rod Serling  

Episode 3:

Crash Course

(www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com)

     Picture it.  It is sundown and you are on your way to meet some friends for dinner and a movie.  While scanning through the radio stations you catch one of your favorite songs.  You  then reach for the knob to higher the volume and start singing-a-long.

     Then suddenly out of no where a car darts out from the crossroad and rams right into you.  You are startled and clearly shaken, but thank God you're ok. 

     With barely enough time to get your wits about you the driver of the other vehicle is frantically motioning for you to roll down your window.  Anticipating a concerned query about your condition you nod your head and open your mouth to tell him that you are fine, but before you could get a word out he abruptly asks, "Didn't you see the red traffic light?!" 

     Taken off guard by his demeanor and question your mouth widens in astonishment while your gaze focuses on his face.  Sure enough you didn't imagine his anger, it was written all over his face.  You say to yourself, 'The nerve of this guy,' and quickly throw back, "Didn't youuuuu see the red light?!" 

     Your response clearly increases his anger and with arms now flaring he yells something about immature drivers and how you had better be insured.  To add insult to injury he is now acting as if youuuuu are deranged.  Opting not to engage in a conversation with someone who would ram into you then so blatantly falsely accuse you, you roll your eyes at him and roll up your window. 

    
Before you know it the police had arrived.  He is the first to reach her and with animated gestures he recounts his version of the events.  Listening to the lies you are convinced it is an underhanded ploy to pass the blame onto you.  Nevertheless you let him tell his story while you await to tell her the truth. 

     The officer then turns to you and asks, "What happened?"  Fiiinnnally, you give her your account all the while hoping against hope that she did not fall for his lies. 

     She then excuses herself and proceeds to her car to make a call.  Meanwhile, you say a prayer that the truth would come to light. 

     After several minutes the officer returns and informs you both that there was a recent power outage.  The traffic light had been out all along.  She states, "All drivers are required to stop in such a case."  Then she proceeds to give you both a ticket and fine.  As unpleasant as it was you both learned a costly, yet valuable lesson.

     As we journey through life and our paths cross with others, we should understand our personal view is limited and self-confidence is way overrated. 

     1 Corinthians 4:3-5

     I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

     Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.