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Why am I still here?

Terrible Johnny

Terrible Johnny

Seeker
Deeje said:
So @Terrible Johnny what are your thoughts? How do you see the situation where you were spared but others who were nowhere near as impacted as you were in various accidents, succumbed to death? Believer or not.

Where is God in that scenario, do you think?
Click to expand...

To be completely honest; I used to be more of a believer in my Christian beliefs. I never looked down on any other religion, and I loved hearing other people’s beliefs in their religion. I used to feel a specific connection with God, and felt that I was special to him. Then as I grew older and started sinning more and more, and doing more things I’m not supposed to, I felt like a hypocrite asking for forgiveness and still going back to doing the bad things I was doing. I have been, and always will be kind to other human beings no matter what, so I never did any harm to people, but I did things behind their back that would hurt them if they found out. So, eventually, I lost that feeling of a connection with God. Then I started thinking on more of a “universe” perspective in my life, and less of a religion perspective. I started thanking the universe for everything,. I still had/have this feeling of having a connection with God, but now I start to think “who or what is god” how do we know the Christian way is the “right way”. That’s kind of why I’m here. I figured I’d listen to everybody else’s perspective on religion and life and try and understand their views. Maybe it’ll help me, Maybe it won’t. I’m lost.

For me to survive this while not being 100% of a believer like I used to be, I don’t know how to take surviving this. I don’t feel lucky though.

Sorry it’s not much of an answer, but it’s the best I could come up with while feeling lost about all of this.
 
InChrist

InChrist

Free4ever
Terrible Johnny said:
On July 8th, 2019, I was in a bad motorcycle accident and was run over by an 18 wheeler. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and broke 26 bones. Obviously, I’m alive. But is that considered to be “divine intervention”? Or was I lucky?

To this day, I don’t remember anything from the accident, or even anything from that whole morning prior to. Well, actually, i do remember a very brief moment where I’m holding my arms out in front of me just before hitting the ground, and seeing how fast the concrete was “moving” underneath me, and then grunting just before blacking out. Next thing you know, I’m barely opening my eyes and seeing/hearing my mom crying. Next to her was the CFO of the law firm I work at, my supervisor from the IT department, and a couple of nurses working around me. At that point, I just knew I was having a WEIRD dream, plus my eyes felt so heavy, that I decided to go back to sleep. I wake up again with heavy eyes, and what felt like was only 5 seconds later to a doctor and a team of nurses asking me if I know my name, and if I knew where I was. I remember feeling so tired and out of it, but I told them my name, and said “I’m at a hospital?” The doc said “uh-huh, and do you know why you’re at the hospital?” I said no. She then told me I was in a motorcycle accident. It honestly did not feel right hearing that, so I told her there’s no way. She said “yes, you were, and you were also run over by an 18 wheeler”. I remember giving a very small and painful chuckle, and decided to just go back to sleep so that I could wake up from this “dream”.

I broke several ribs, my pelvis, both hands, my left arm had a chunk of meat and bone missing, both legs and feet, my right leg had bone sticking out, a fractured skull, a bruise at the front of my brain, both lungs punctured, and a ruptured bladder. Both arms and both legs were wrapped with like a partial cast, and I never really felt like I was in pain (possibly from pain meds) but even to this day I have no pain even from my remaining injuries. I surprised everybody later on the next day after my accident by still showing my sense of humor and still being “me”. My family and friends all visited for the next few days, and they all said that I was a miracle, and mentioned divine intervention, and that God is not done with me and that I have a testimony. And I can’t help but think “why me?” Why did all of this happen? Am I alive because I’m lucky? Because I’m one tough hombre? Or did God really keep me alive for a reason?

I am still unable to walk, but I can stand and take small baby steps, my left arm is still healing, and I can use some of my fingers now on my right hand, but I’m making progress and will start physical therapy soon.

Sorry for the “book” but I haven’t really talked about this with anybody, and I figured I’d get opinions from strangers. I definitely was no saint before the accident, but I do have an appreciation for life and all the small things in it now.

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you all have a good day/night.
Click to expand...
I would say that since the scriptures say that our days are numbered, your number was not up and God preserved your life giving you a wake up call and further opportunity to gain wisdom and return to a loving relationship with Him. I'm glad to hear you are doing so well after such a traumatic experience.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
 
C

columbus

yawn <ignore> yawn
I can't help but notice a few things about God.

His aim is weak, His attention span short, and His Mind easily changed.

Ain't nobody got a lease on tomorrow.
Tom
 
Trailblazer

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Terrible Johnny said:
Thank you. I also feel open to any other deity. Or maybe they’re all one in the same? But that’s another topic. Thanks, again.
Click to expand...
Of course you are still alive because of God. Why would anyone doubt that. God gives us free will to make choices but ultimately, everything that happens in life is by the Will of God. There is a reason for you to be here whether you know the reason or not.

I admire you for being grateful to just be alive in spite of your injuries. Not all people would feel that way.

There is only one true God although there are many different religions of God. The religions are different but the God is the same. :)
 
Deeje

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Terrible Johnny said:
To be completely honest; I used to be more of a believer in my Christian beliefs. I never looked down on any other religion, and I loved hearing other people’s beliefs in their religion. I used to feel a specific connection with God, and felt that I was special to him. Then as I grew older and started sinning more and more, and doing more things I’m not supposed to, I felt like a hypocrite asking for forgiveness and still going back to doing the bad things I was doing. I have been, and always will be kind to other human beings no matter what, so I never did any harm to people, but I did things behind their back that would hurt them if they found out. So, eventually, I lost that feeling of a connection with God. Then I started thinking on more of a “universe” perspective in my life, and less of a religion perspective. I started thanking the universe for everything,. I still had/have this feeling of having a connection with God, but now I start to think “who or what is god” how do we know the Christian way is the “right way”. That’s kind of why I’m here. I figured I’d listen to everybody else’s perspective on religion and life and try and understand their views. Maybe it’ll help me, Maybe it won’t. I’m lost.

For me to survive this while not being 100% of a believer like I used to be, I don’t know how to take surviving this. I don’t feel lucky though.

Sorry it’s not much of an answer, but it’s the best I could come up with while feeling lost about all of this.
Click to expand...

It raises some interesting questions, that's for sure. Being a bit of a rebel does not automatically mean that God rejects you. If he sees a good heart, he can also see where that agreeable heart may take someone in the future.
I personally know of some who had a very misspent youth, but who later re-evaluated their life and changed direction.

I know that I was certainly no angel in my younger days, but God patiently waited for me to grow up. I too had a strong connection to God as a child but the church system so disappointed me that I rebelled against it and left, but I never lost belief in God or respect for the Bible. I found God again in my early twenties (or should I say he found me) and I studied the Bible for two solid years before I was ready to commit myself to God unconditionally as a disciple of his son. That commitment has not wavered in 47 years because I keep building on my knowledge base and the more I learn, the closer I feel to God.

Solomon wrote something that might be applicable here...or not? :shrug:

Ecclesiastes 9:10-12....
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave, [sheol] where you are going.

11 I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Just as fish are caught in an evil net and birds are caught in a trap, so the sons of men are ensnared in a time of disaster, when it suddenly overtakes them."

Some people can simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time and lose their lives, whilst others can survive an event that should have taken their life, like you did. In view of Solomon's words, what do you think?
 
Neuropteron

Neuropteron

Active Member
It is good that you survived and received timely medical care.

Divine intervention may not always be involved for example Ecclesiastes 9:11 states that "...time and unexpected events overtake them all". In Luke 13: 4, 5 Jesus mentioned such an accident.

Additionally James 1:13 states that God does not test people with such bad events.

Life is an opportunity to build a reputation with the creator "while he may be found" and to "seek righteousness" (Zepheniah 2:2,3)

and be found walking on the narrow road to eternal life (Matthew 7:13).
 
Vee

Vee

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Terrible Johnny said:
On July 8th, 2019, I was in a bad motorcycle accident and was run over by an 18 wheeler. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and broke 26 bones. Obviously, I’m alive. But is that considered to be “divine intervention”? Or was I lucky?

To this day, I don’t remember anything from the accident, or even anything from that whole morning prior to. Well, actually, i do remember a very brief moment where I’m holding my arms out in front of me just before hitting the ground, and seeing how fast the concrete was “moving” underneath me, and then grunting just before blacking out. Next thing you know, I’m barely opening my eyes and seeing/hearing my mom crying. Next to her was the CFO of the law firm I work at, my supervisor from the IT department, and a couple of nurses working around me. At that point, I just knew I was having a WEIRD dream, plus my eyes felt so heavy, that I decided to go back to sleep. I wake up again with heavy eyes, and what felt like was only 5 seconds later to a doctor and a team of nurses asking me if I know my name, and if I knew where I was. I remember feeling so tired and out of it, but I told them my name, and said “I’m at a hospital?” The doc said “uh-huh, and do you know why you’re at the hospital?” I said no. She then told me I was in a motorcycle accident. It honestly did not feel right hearing that, so I told her there’s no way. She said “yes, you were, and you were also run over by an 18 wheeler”. I remember giving a very small and painful chuckle, and decided to just go back to sleep so that I could wake up from this “dream”.

I broke several ribs, my pelvis, both hands, my left arm had a chunk of meat and bone missing, both legs and feet, my right leg had bone sticking out, a fractured skull, a bruise at the front of my brain, both lungs punctured, and a ruptured bladder. Both arms and both legs were wrapped with like a partial cast, and I never really felt like I was in pain (possibly from pain meds) but even to this day I have no pain even from my remaining injuries. I surprised everybody later on the next day after my accident by still showing my sense of humor and still being “me”. My family and friends all visited for the next few days, and they all said that I was a miracle, and mentioned divine intervention, and that God is not done with me and that I have a testimony. And I can’t help but think “why me?” Why did all of this happen? Am I alive because I’m lucky? Because I’m one tough hombre? Or did God really keep me alive for a reason?

I am still unable to walk, but I can stand and take small baby steps, my left arm is still healing, and I can use some of my fingers now on my right hand, but I’m making progress and will start physical therapy soon.

Sorry for the “book” but I haven’t really talked about this with anybody, and I figured I’d get opinions from strangers. I definitely was no saint before the accident, but I do have an appreciation for life and all the small things in it now.

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you all have a good day/night.
Click to expand...

Welcome to RF, and wow, what a story.
I'm really glad you made it and I hope you'll make a full recovery, even if that might take sometime.
From a Biblical point of view, God doesn't cause us harm (Job 34:10) but he doesn't necessarily shelter us from hardship either. He gives us the strength to deal with difficult situations though.
You have a long path ahead of you, so keep going. Be courageous and since you've been given this opportunity to keep living, make it a meaningful life.
Take care.

Vee
 
1

1213

Well-Known Member
Terrible Johnny said:
Why am I still here?
Click to expand...

I am not God and I don’t know if there is some special reason, but I believe we all are here to learn what it means to be righteous, to become righteous and to love. Reason why I think so is these:

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Mat. 25:46

But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13

It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
John 6:63

…Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10
 
Revoltingest

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Terrible Johnny said:
On July 8th, 2019, I was in a bad motorcycle accident and was run over by an 18 wheeler. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and broke 26 bones. Obviously, I’m alive. But is that considered to be “divine intervention”? Or was I lucky?

To this day, I don’t remember anything from the accident, or even anything from that whole morning prior to. Well, actually, i do remember a very brief moment where I’m holding my arms out in front of me just before hitting the ground, and seeing how fast the concrete was “moving” underneath me, and then grunting just before blacking out. Next thing you know, I’m barely opening my eyes and seeing/hearing my mom crying. Next to her was the CFO of the law firm I work at, my supervisor from the IT department, and a couple of nurses working around me. At that point, I just knew I was having a WEIRD dream, plus my eyes felt so heavy, that I decided to go back to sleep. I wake up again with heavy eyes, and what felt like was only 5 seconds later to a doctor and a team of nurses asking me if I know my name, and if I knew where I was. I remember feeling so tired and out of it, but I told them my name, and said “I’m at a hospital?” The doc said “uh-huh, and do you know why you’re at the hospital?” I said no. She then told me I was in a motorcycle accident. It honestly did not feel right hearing that, so I told her there’s no way. She said “yes, you were, and you were also run over by an 18 wheeler”. I remember giving a very small and painful chuckle, and decided to just go back to sleep so that I could wake up from this “dream”.

I broke several ribs, my pelvis, both hands, my left arm had a chunk of meat and bone missing, both legs and feet, my right leg had bone sticking out, a fractured skull, a bruise at the front of my brain, both lungs punctured, and a ruptured bladder. Both arms and both legs were wrapped with like a partial cast, and I never really felt like I was in pain (possibly from pain meds) but even to this day I have no pain even from my remaining injuries. I surprised everybody later on the next day after my accident by still showing my sense of humor and still being “me”. My family and friends all visited for the next few days, and they all said that I was a miracle, and mentioned divine intervention, and that God is not done with me and that I have a testimony. And I can’t help but think “why me?” Why did all of this happen? Am I alive because I’m lucky? Because I’m one tough hombre? Or did God really keep me alive for a reason?

I am still unable to walk, but I can stand and take small baby steps, my left arm is still healing, and I can use some of my fingers now on my right hand, but I’m making progress and will start physical therapy soon.

Sorry for the “book” but I haven’t really talked about this with anybody, and I figured I’d get opinions from strangers. I definitely was no saint before the accident, but I do have an appreciation for life and all the small things in it now.

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you all have a good day/night.
Click to expand...
Unlucky to crash...lucky to survive without needing a drool cup.
Life is a mix of good & bad luck.
You sure had your share of the latter.
Welcome to RF!
 
Q

QuestioningMind

Well-Known Member
Terrible Johnny said:
On July 8th, 2019, I was in a bad motorcycle accident and was run over by an 18 wheeler. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and broke 26 bones. Obviously, I’m alive. But is that considered to be “divine intervention”? Or was I lucky?

To this day, I don’t remember anything from the accident, or even anything from that whole morning prior to. Well, actually, i do remember a very brief moment where I’m holding my arms out in front of me just before hitting the ground, and seeing how fast the concrete was “moving” underneath me, and then grunting just before blacking out. Next thing you know, I’m barely opening my eyes and seeing/hearing my mom crying. Next to her was the CFO of the law firm I work at, my supervisor from the IT department, and a couple of nurses working around me. At that point, I just knew I was having a WEIRD dream, plus my eyes felt so heavy, that I decided to go back to sleep. I wake up again with heavy eyes, and what felt like was only 5 seconds later to a doctor and a team of nurses asking me if I know my name, and if I knew where I was. I remember feeling so tired and out of it, but I told them my name, and said “I’m at a hospital?” The doc said “uh-huh, and do you know why you’re at the hospital?” I said no. She then told me I was in a motorcycle accident. It honestly did not feel right hearing that, so I told her there’s no way. She said “yes, you were, and you were also run over by an 18 wheeler”. I remember giving a very small and painful chuckle, and decided to just go back to sleep so that I could wake up from this “dream”.

I broke several ribs, my pelvis, both hands, my left arm had a chunk of meat and bone missing, both legs and feet, my right leg had bone sticking out, a fractured skull, a bruise at the front of my brain, both lungs punctured, and a ruptured bladder. Both arms and both legs were wrapped with like a partial cast, and I never really felt like I was in pain (possibly from pain meds) but even to this day I have no pain even from my remaining injuries. I surprised everybody later on the next day after my accident by still showing my sense of humor and still being “me”. My family and friends all visited for the next few days, and they all said that I was a miracle, and mentioned divine intervention, and that God is not done with me and that I have a testimony. And I can’t help but think “why me?” Why did all of this happen? Am I alive because I’m lucky? Because I’m one tough hombre? Or did God really keep me alive for a reason?

I am still unable to walk, but I can stand and take small baby steps, my left arm is still healing, and I can use some of my fingers now on my right hand, but I’m making progress and will start physical therapy soon.

Sorry for the “book” but I haven’t really talked about this with anybody, and I figured I’d get opinions from strangers. I definitely was no saint before the accident, but I do have an appreciation for life and all the small things in it now.

Thank you for reading this, and I hope you all have a good day/night.
Click to expand...


It sounds as if you were very fortunate to have survived. However, I find it rather disturbing to consider that the reason you survived is because of some intervention from a divine being. It suggests that this god entity considers you to be significantly more important that all of the other individuals who happened to die in car accidents that day. It suggests that God thinks you are so special, that even though you chose to ride a motorcycle and you chose to ride it without a helmet that you deserved to have Him intervene to keep you alive. While on the other hand the tiny six month old baby who had no choice but to be put in a car seat by it's parents in a car that gets in a head on collision with a truck wasn't worth the effort for God to save.

IF in fact this God was capable of stepping in to save you from dying in a motorcycle accident, but refused to intervene when millions were exterminated in death camps, I would have to seriously question whether this god is a moral being or a vile monster.
 
Skwim

Skwim

Veteran Member
Terrible Johnny said:
On July 8th, 2019, I was in a bad motorcycle accident and was run over by an 18 wheeler. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and broke 26 bones. Obviously, I’m alive. But is that considered to be “divine intervention”? Or was I lucky?
Click to expand...
If it's possible that divine intervention saves lives it's no less possible that purposeful lack of divine intervention puts lives in danger.

,
 
Last edited:
Scott C.

Scott C.

Just one guy
Terrible Johnny said:
On July 8th, 2019, I was in a bad motorcycle accident and was run over by an 18 wheeler. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and broke 26 bones. Obviously, I’m alive. But is that considered to be “divine intervention”? Or was I lucky?
Click to expand...

Who are you asking, people who believe there is a God who intervenes in our lives or people who don't? I believe there is such a God and yes he spared your life. It was not your time to go.
 
Scott C.

Scott C.

Just one guy
QuestioningMind said:
It suggests that this god entity considers you to be significantly more important that all of the other individuals who happened to die in car accidents that day.
Click to expand...

Why would the fact that God spared this man's life while allowing others to die, indicate that God considers this man to be more important? All people are important to God. Important people die every day and important people survive every day. We can't measure God's love for us based on how long he leaves us on earth. Those who die today and go home to God find purpose in their new life. Those who are spared and stick around here for a while also find purpose. For God there is no life and death. There is only life, life here or there, but it is all life.
 
S

Saint Frankenstein

Gone
Premium Member
I don't know about divine intervention because what about all those people who don't survive? They had lives to live and loved ones, too. I think it's just the luck of the draw. Good luck on your recovery and may it be a speedy one. Glad you appreciate more now.
 
Mock Turtle

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
Further to this, I'm sure many can relate incidents where their lives were at risk or where they suffered injuries. Where does any providence lie? I was run down by a car on a main road where he came from a side turning (his fault). My bicycle ended under the rear wheels whilst I survived in front of the front wheels as he stopped in time - just bruises. Another incident, I nearly slid over the edge of a 100m cliff before a larger tuft of grass halted my fall - conveniently placed? It seems to me we can be quite selective as to how we see such events.
 
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