The sound of an explosion interrupted our conversation. Instinctively, I braced my forehead with both hands and squeezed my eyelids shut. When the vehicle stopped moving, I asked my husband, “Are you ok? I think I am,” and waited for him to respond before I opened my eyes. The wreck was so sudden, I didn’t know what happened.

Traveling out of state for a graduation ceremony, we were rammed from behind about an hour away from our destination. I kinda question naming a truck Ram, then putting a large metal grill on the front, especially if you look away while driving on the interstate.

 The car in front of us pulled off onto the shoulder and we thought he did so to check on us. Then, he pointed out that we collided with them from the impact behind.

The young man who hit us was obviously shaken and even sobbed for a moment. He offered us water along with profuse apology. And he took full responsibility. Really nice guy. After all, it was an accident and none of us is beyond distraction.

Shattered glass littered the back of our SUV, just like his beliefs. You see, his skin was covered in colorful demonic and witchcraft tattoos.

Religion turned him away, yes, I asked. But doubt was in his eyes, even when he said he just believed in himself. Appropriately, his name was Thomas.

Hard to wrap my mind around people who’ve just failed epically declaring that they are their own best foundation of trust. Truthfully, none of us makes a good god for ourselves.

The original doubting Thomas walked all that time with Jesus in the flesh, then couldn’t believe his own eyes when he saw Him resurrected. Believing isn’t easy for some. Those of us who didn’t grow up in “religious” homes, but rather with family members who truly loved Jesus and loved us well, don’t have those big obstacles to overcome. But those who saw religion without relationship are more challenged to “just have faith. “ I guess he struggled with what to do with his faith, so he misplaced it in himself, and evil deception.

The lady in the other car, the one we hit, wore a T-shirt that said Ephesians 2:8. That’s it, just Ephesians 2:8.

I told him her shirt was truth. I hope that piqued his curiosity enough to look it up. And I pray he understands the grace that saves us, not works. And not religion.

With Ephesians 2:8 in front me and demons behind me, I was sandwiched between grace and doubt. It made me look in the mirror and ask, “What is my influence?” I hope my life displays relationship not religion to those who watch me walk it out every day, albeit imperfectly. But then again, isn’t that what grace is?

If I could do it on my own, I wouldn’t need Jesus anyway. That’s the difference between relationship and religion. Religion tries to please God, when relationship knows that God is the only One who can do it. 

Jesus was full of truth and grace. If we lean too far toward grace, truth is compromised. But if we lean too far away from grace it might cause others to stumble. Better for a millstone to be tied around the neck.

And that’s the truth.

Y’all drive safe out there.