“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” (Ps 62:1-2 NIV)

Last Thursday, January 20th, 2012, near the end of my workday, the weather turned deadly. Snow began pouring down from the sky, quickly reducing the visibility to “0”. As I stepped out of the building, snow clung to every exposed part of my body, and I couldn’t see even a foot in front of my face. I was in the middle of a whiteout. Yet despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, I still had to get home.

It was funny that the day before someone had told me about a whiteout experience, and I declared to that person that there was no way I would ever drive anywhere in such circumstances.

Yet here I was, cleaning my car of this sticky, heavy snow.

I’m not real sure why I even bothered. No sooner had I finished clearing the snow from a window when the newly-fallen stuff would again coat that surface.

Still I was determined. I had to get home.

Once in the car, I was literally dripping with snow. My hair was covered and my glasses were completely fogged over. Nevertheless I wiped my glasses and started the car. I’m not sure why I bothered defogging my glasses either, for no sooner had I finished when I needed to start over again!

Not that it mattered much. I couldn’t see anything at all, even without my glasses! I couldn’t even see the car in front of me. How would I ever get home?

But I was persistent. I turned on my emergency lights so as to be a bit more visible to those who shared my road, and I drove slowly, ever so slowly. I didn’t have a choice, really. You can’t drive fast when you can’t see! Besides, anyone around me were driving slow as well.

When I glanced at my knuckles I realized that I was gripping the steering wheel with all my strength. No way would I let it out of my grasp! As I watched my knuckles grow white from the strain, I finally realized that I was a bit too tense.

I also realized I was trying to be in control of my circumstances. How completely ridiculous! Who can control whiteout conditions! I sure can’t!

It’s then that I concluded that I was doing it again. I was trying to be my old self again , and my insistence on being in control was filling me with anxiety. “Heavenly Father,” I humbly prayed, “I’m doing it again! I’m trying to be in control and it fills me with terror. These circumstances are way out of my league. I can’t be in control, so I will step off the high position I try to occupy, and I invite You to be in control of my life and circumstances. I will rest now in Your arms, knowing full well that whatever happens will be for the best. Thank You Father for being there for me.”

That’s when I was filled with total peace. My grip on the steering wheel relaxed, and I actually started to enjoy the experience. Why? Because I began to see my circumstances from a different light. My Heavenly Dad was taking care of me, and now I could just enjoy my ride. Yes! Even amidst this storm, these whiteout conditions!

Naturally I arrived safely home in the shelter of my God. He is my fortress after all!

Only later did I learn that a clipper system had gone over our region, bringing embedded heavy bursts of snow with strong winds and significantly reducing visibility. These whiteouts conditions closed two nearby highways, where 32-vehicle pile-ups were reported. Other accidents were reported as well, just like the car I saw in the ditch.

I may not be able to be in charge of my circumstances, but God sure can and He welcomes such opportunities. Thank You Father that I can leave all of my worries in Your capable hands. Oh I love You!

Do you have problems seeing through your windshield?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Only in Jesus” devotional series, please click here.)