Article August 18, 2008 Issue

SAFE AFTER ELECTRIC SHOCK

BY DOUG SYTSMA

I'VE FOUND that at the beginning of every trial of my faith, there's been a moment to decide. A moment to choose how I identify myself—either as a struggling mortal, figuring life out all alone and prone to harm, or as spiritual, guided and maintained by a loving God. A radical idea? Sure. But the mental decision I've made in those tough moments has often determined what kind of experience I've had, and has resulted in healing.

The Bible helps illustrate this concept. When Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the man who would determine whether he should be crucified or turned free, Pilate asked Jesus, "Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" (John 19:10). This must have been a moment of decision for Jesus. He had to choose whether he was going to bow to Pilate's authority, or look to the divine authority of God, Life itself, to determine what had control over him. He answered, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above" (John 19:11). This certain knowledge of his own spiritual dominion enabled Jesus to enter this trial without letting fear win, surely a key factor in his resurrection and eventual ascension. And I've learned that when confronted by troubling circumstances—although admittedly less dramatic than Jesus'—I can follow his example and choose wisely.

Some years ago, I was a heating and air conditioning contractor. One day, I was standing on my tiptoes on the top of a six-foot ladder, reaching over my head into the ceiling, searching for a thermostat that I'd placed over the top of a fan. As I felt around for the thermostat, my right index finger came into contact with the exposed, top part of a 277-volt disconnect switch, and strong waves of electricity surged through me. I was held magnetically to the switch, and although I tried with all of my might to pull my finger free, I couldn't budge. From my vantage point on top of the ladder, I could see some painters working in the next room, so I tried to call out for help but I couldn't speak.