I woke up falling out of my seat. It was after midnight on the charter bus to Ecuador and everyone else on my squad seemed to be asleep. We left Colombia 16 hours before and had another 16 hours left on our journey to Quito. I awoke disoriented and didn’t understand why I couldn’t keep myself seated. I tried to look out the window to see why I was bopping side to side, but all I could see was rock. We were literally driving through the mountains. Water bottles were rolling down the aisle and bags were falling out of the storage space above our heads.
The driver was going so fast through the twists and turns that I felt the bus tilt up on the axles as we accelerated around each bend in the road. I felt queasy, not only because of the motion but the sick feeling of panic started rising in me. I popped another Dramamine, took a swig of my rationed water and wedged myself back into my seat with my knees pressed into the seatback in front of me. I put my eye mask on to block out the sensation that we were trapped in a dark tunnel, though I could not block out the fearful thoughts that were bubbling up inside my mind. All I could do at that point was to pray. I prayed for peace and protection. God showed me this picture of our bus zooming through the winding roads of the mountain pass. It was an aerial view like He would see if He was looking down on us from above. He told me that this bus was full of precious cargo, that He had big plans for everyone on the bus, and that He wouldn’t let anything happen to us. My mind was immediately filled with a sense of calm, and despite the continued crazy ride, I fell asleep until daylight broke.
I have been reading in the gospels lately and was reminded of the story Jesus falling asleep on a boat during a storm. The disciples were mad at him for sleeping when they were scared to death, but He reminded them that He has all authority over the wind and waves so there is no need to fear. I am thankful that even though He did not change my stormy situation, He calmed my raging storm of anxiety. He gave me peace and reminded me that we, His children, are precious cargo.
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8:23-37
