In my life, God has repeatedly saved me from the brink of death, despite doctors’ grim prognoses. This narrative is not merely my story; it could be the divine invitation someone else needs to experience God’s grace. Like the pivotal moment I refer to as my “final invitation,” I hope my testimony serves as a beacon, urging others to surrender to God and find their own path to salvation.

God is a God of many second chances—third, fourth, and beyond. But we must not overlook His grace. I invite you to open your heart and let your guard down, not for me, but for God. Embrace this opportunity to discover who you truly are. Think of this text as your final invitation, similar to the last votes that will determine the year’s prom queen. This isn’t a popularity contest, but a pivotal moment for you to respond to God’s call.

A lot of us, do the most because we are scared God won’t match our drive. Ultimately, we drive ourselves right into a wall. The very wall God seeks to dismantle for our benefit.  Take my experiences as a testament to this truth.

Count 1: God is does exceedingly abundantly above all! 

On April 8, 2012, just days after the death of my first great love, I was lost and emotionally drained. I had been grappling with grief, confined to my bedroom for six days, feeling as if life had no purpose. But then, on Easter Sunday, God intervened. I received a call from the manager of Sports Authority offering me a position as Customer Service Manager. The rarity of receiving such a call on Easter, a day of profound significance, was a clear sign of God’s intervention. This job offer pulled me from the depths of my grief, saving me from a sorrow that threatened to swallow me whole, much like a snake engulfing a rat.

Count 2: God is Good & All the Time God is Good! 

My faith in God was tested again when I was 19. On August 3, 2012, I was struck by a car while crossing a T-shaped crosswalk. The impact was severe, and the doctors later said I should have died. Instead, I walked away with no broken bones, only superficial wounds. With the exception, of a hideous scar which still is visible on the top of my right arm. This accident was a revelation of God’s reality, challenging my previous doubts about His existence. Despite my painful past and struggles with abuse, God’s grace was evident in my survival. Yet, I failed to fully appreciate this grace. Indeed, I discovered God. I believed he saved my life. I felt his grace on my life. But I didn’t do anything with his grace. 

Count 3: Crash, Boom, GOD!

During my senior year of college, while pursuing my second degree, I encountered a life-threatening event that was more than a mere brush with death—it was a profound awakening. Although I resisted this call to rise, God sought to jolt me from my deep, angry slumber. At the time, I was unaware of the significance of this wake-up call, but in hindsight, I recognize it as a crucial moment of divine intervention.

Driving home, I flipped my car, which resulted in a traumatic blow to my ego and face. I lost my two front teeth, severely injured my right hand, and was deeply impacted cognitively. During my recovery, I struggled with low self-esteem, focusing on my physical appearance rather than the miracle of survival. Despite doctors predicting I would never use my right hand again or be able to write, God defied the odds and guided me to a full recovery.

This experience vividly illustrates God’s glory, grace, and mercy. Society needs to see these brushes with death to understand that God is still performing miracles. It is imperative for you, the reader, to recognize that God’s grace surpasses any medical prognosis. To all the doctors who speak about others’ abilities, remember: you cannot speak to what you do not know. God is all-knowing and the one true doctor.

Count 4: “It Be Your Own People, Then Comes God”

At 19, I faced a harrowing experience when a man I met online took advantage of me. This traumatic event led me to distrust my own ethnic group and question the goodness in the world. However, I learned that while the devil seeks to harm us, God can transform what was meant for evil into something good. This incident, like others, reinforced my transient existence, reflecting Maya Angelou’s words: “in and out of time.”

Count 5: Time Stands Still For No Man

My final near-death experience should have been my last. Despite this, I found myself more tempted by worldly distractions than by the kingdom of God. I experienced repeated despair, feeling as if I was dying nightly, overwhelmed by systemic injustices and personal suffering. I questioned why God kept me alive through so much suffering. Yet, God revealed Himself to me in an undeniable way, guiding me to a deeper understanding of my purpose. In surrendering to Him, I sacrificed my own desires, much like Jesus’ sacrifice. This profound surrender reaffirms that God has a divine purpose and equity with me.

Part 2—Journey to Joy: God’s Final Invitation drops this Thursday. Share your thoughts on this blog below and pass it along to anyone who might benefit from the invitation God wants to bestow upon them.