22
Dec '18
The Drone
22
Dec '18
Written by: Mark Culp
The story I would like to share with you happened to me very recently and I hope to honor God in the sharing of it.
My wife and I were driving home one afternoon last week when we both saw something bounce off the car ahead of us and land right in the middle of the road in front of us. There was a fair amount of traffic and there was no way to stop, so we kept on driving – but right before we drove over it, my eye caught a glimpse of light coming off it. I told Melinda that we had to go back and find whatever it was. So, we drove up to the next road, turned around and went back. We pulled over next to it and it turned out to be a drone. After waiting for an opening in the traffic, I managed to grab the drone, then get myself back across the road – no small feat due to the cars (and I don’t do a whole lot of running these days).
Little did I know that this drone would introduce a test into my life.
So, we headed home with drone in hand. Now you have to understand that I love drones, and this was a nice drone. That “love” I had for drones would be used to introduce all kinds of crazy thoughts into my mind. The battleground. The first thought to arrive was that of “ownership” over this drone. I found it, no one came back to claim it, I could buy what I needed to fly this drone. I would take care of it. Now, I can’t tell you how long it was before differing thoughts arrived, but I assure you, it remained solo for a bit.
As other thoughts came into my mind, there was one that stood out from the rest. It was also the one I least wanted to face. This thought was simple enough, but I tried to complicate it. The thought was, “This drone doesn’t belong to you.” and there was an added footnote that essentially told me to find the owner. I tried to fight with it. I struggled. I tried to reason with it, but I could not rationalize. It was truth. Truth does not move, it will always stand.
We arrived home and I had a plan. I would try to retrieve any video off the drone, so I began researching how this could be done.
As soon as I found what I was looking for, I was slammed again with another attack. This drone was cool – the things it could do, the range – mind blowing. The speed…. ohhhhh, the speed! But….. the truth… ohhhhhh, the truth.
Then my wife entered the scene. She spoke into my ears perhaps the sweetest words I could have imagined in that moment. She simply asked me if I would like one of those drones for my Christmas present. Really? Did she really say what I think she said?? How irresponsible would that be?
So, I diligently set out to find the best possible deal. I found a refurbished one on eBay and ordered it. When it arrived, I re-charged the battery from the drone I had rescued, and was able to retrieve a few videos. I watched for landmarks, signs, anything that would point me in the right direction. I found one street sign. I built on that and ultimately found the owner.
No one was home the first time I went, so I left a note in their door. A few hours later, I received a phone call from an ecstatic wife whose husband was in the throes of depression after only two days of ownership (of the drone). I brought the drone back and left it at that.
Later that night, I got a call from a gentleman who could not thank me enough. He was blown away at the extent someone would take to return an item. We made arrangements to meet at a park the following Saturday to fly our drones. We met, we talked, he thanked me again. We were just beginning the process of a relationship. I was honest with him about my struggle during the process of finding him, but I told him that I was a Christian and it was the right thing to do. I wanted to be real. I wanted to be authentic. When we were done, we both had the understanding that this would not be the last time we would meet. I had the strong impression that God’s hand was in every detail and that this encounter was exactly what this gentleman, and myself, needed.
There are so many lessons that can be drawn from this story. The one that stands out most for me is to just give in and obey God, even when there is a multitude of voices telling me not to. I would have gained, no doubt, by keeping that drone – but God’s way of prospering me is different. God’s way will introduce into my life blessings that go far beyond the material.
I won’t always see it, but bit by bit, after one small initial act of obedience, the fog of my understanding begins to rise. I can not express just how thankful I am to have a Savior who knows me. Who shakes my world and doesn’t leave me to myself, who cares about my growth.
Thank you Jesus.
BLOG AUDIO
Mark
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I’m currently 51 years old and live in Saline with my wife Melinda. We each have 2 children, and together we have 12 grandchildren (including 1 still in the “oven”). I have walked through various hardships in life and it’s my prayer and desire to share some of the things I’ve learned walking through these hardships. I pray that God uses something in what I share to spark in you a thought that may have needed to be lit. I don’t presume to have it all worked out, and much of what you will read is currently being worked out in my own life. I would like to thank my precious Lord for this “voice” and pray that what I say will bring honor to Him. – Mark
Mark – Thank you for always being so authentic and honest in your posts about how God is working in your life and challenging you!