Note: There are strong spiritual references in this post, because, well, it's truth. Please respect it.
Last week’s experience was, for the most part, a most unexpected, but good experience. God used it to show me a few things, and a new found respect for the "little things".
Thursday morning, my wife, myself, and one of my student counselors were going to my church from my home (the Student counselor had stayed the night). We were entering the nearby city and a police officer pulled out on a motorcycle behind us. My tags have been expired, not because I haven’t paid my taxes, but only because I never received my sticker. Tonya and I had actually planned to go to the DMV on Friday morning to take care of it, but we were one day too late I guess. The police officer pulled me over and I showed proof of paying my taxes. He said it was OK, and asked for my driver’s license and insurance to run the routine check. He came back and informed me that my address wasn’t up to date on my license, and there was a fine to that. He also advised me my license happened to be suspended due to an unpaid traffic violation in July 2002.
In July 2002, as I was leaving a Christian music festival in Bushnell, Illinois, to come home, I was pulled for going 70 in a 55. I paid the ticket late, March 2003, however, everything was said to be cleared. To date, I have rented multiple vehicles from Enterprise for church events as well as personal, and I was pulled over by a Darlington Sheriff a month ago for the tags, and he took license back to the car, saw my proof of payment, and let me go with no problems, so I was unaware of a suspended license. Somehow the necessary paperwork did not reach SC as it should, and I was unlucky enough that Enterprise, nor the sheriff ran any sort of license checks to verify my license.
The officer explained to me that, although it was paid, because SC had not released it, my license was suspended, and law required that I be arrested for driving under suspension. A transport car was called, and my wife and Justin watched as I was patted down, cuffed, and placed in the back of a cruiser and taken to county jail in Effingham. An urgent request was placed on the prayer chain, and God really was talking to me.
Once I reached the county jail, I was processed, and placed in a Detox room to be processed fully. I was informed that court would be around 11 AM – 1 PM. At this time, I almost had a breakdown. I couldn’t understand how this could all happen on the eve of a youth event I was hoping would change the life of my students. I began to wonder if I would make it to the court or if I’d be forgotten, and spend a night in the jail. I also realized I had no power of any kind, and was completely at the mercy of the government. I didn’t know when I’d see my wife again, when I’d be able to walk freely, anything. I began to get fidgety, trying to figure out what to do. Then God spoke. “Why are you afraid? Why don’t you trust Me? What is worry going to help? If you harass the guards about when/how you are going to get out, will it help the situation or speed it up? No. I am in charge, you are not. I have the power, you do not. These people around have the power over your life so quickly, how much more Power do I have in this world than them! So, you must either trust me, or see to your own strength.”
Suddenly, I realized it was fully out of my hands, and gave it to Him. I told God if I could get out soon, then let it be a witness to show honor to Him. If I was to remain in jail for a day, then let it be an example to others my confidence in God. I let go of the worry, I released the doubt. Suddenly, in this room of concrete walls, ceiling, and floor, I began to sing praises to God. "Above All powers, above all Kings". "Open the Eyes of My Heart". "You Are Good".
The booking agents cuffed my hands behind my back, and began to question me. Soon, they released my hands and allowed me to relax a bit. We began to laugh at the circumstances, and I was able to show them the confidence I had in Christ, and hopefully be a light to them with my attitude. Instead of fully processing me and placing me in a waiting cell with others, I was allowed to sit in the lobby and wait quietly until my court time. I was given a drink and able to chat with the officers.
A few hours later, I was placed in front of a wall, where with three others I was placed in handcuffs, and leg irons, and escorted to the courtroom. Each person was questioned and informed of the charges. I was last. I actually laughed a little when she asked my occupation, and I embarrassingly said “Student Minister”. She let me go on a PR bond, and I have a court date on March 23.
The next day, I called Illinois, they faxed the necessary documents, I went to the courthouse and the DMV, and less than 24 hours later, I had a sticker on my car, new driver’s license, and a clean slate. Thanks to those who prayed for me, gave me help financially, and just saw the opportunity to serve the Lord. I plan to go back to those booking agents, and share with them how blessed I am by how they treated me. God worked wonders this weekend, 18 lives were changed forever, including mine. I know the Enemy wanted to hinder us from this trip so much, and I’m glad he did not succeed.
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