My friend was unwell, so I decided to drive to see her on Sabbath afternoon. During the journey, I noticed that my petrol was running low. However, I had enough to make the return trip to Tesco, where the petrol was cheaper, so I decided to wait before filling up.
I spent the afternoon and evening with my friend, praying with her, talking, offering emotional support, and helping her work through some issues. Around 8 p.m., I began my journey home.
As I was leaving, I noticed a petrol station near her home. I initially decided to put in a small amount—just enough to get me to Tesco, where I planned to fill up. But when I saw how expensive the petrol was, I changed my mind and drove away.
As I made a U-turn back onto the road, the car alarm suddenly sounded.
I was baffled. The petrol gauge showed about a quarter of a tank, more than enough to reach my next stop, and there was no warning light on the dashboard. Still, I knew better than to ignore the alarm, especially when I was already low on petrol.
I immediately turned around, went back to the petrol station, bought £10 worth of petrol, and continued on my way.
I didn't know it then, but God knew exactly what was ahead.
The Road Ahead
When I reached Tottenham High Road near Seven Sisters Station, I encountered heavy congestion just yards from my turn-off. Traffic was at a standstill, and I sat there watching my petrol level slowly drop.
Eventually, I took a detour through the back roads, hoping to bypass the traffic and approach my destination from another direction. But when I reached the intersection, I discovered that the situation was even worse. Vehicles were coming from all directions, and the surrounding roads were gridlocked.
Why was there so much traffic?
I continued on, praying. I needed to reach the petrol station.
As I got closer, I noticed vehicles ahead turning around. I could see lights and vehicles moving strangely in the road, but I still did not know what was happening.
By then, approximately two hours had passed since I had left my friend's home. I continued to pray. I did not want to run out of petrol in the middle of the night.
Then, as I drew closer, I finally saw what was causing the problem.
There had been an accident. A police car was blocking the road, and the area had been closed off. Traffic was being diverted back toward the main road, causing the massive congestion I had encountered.
The petrol station was right there, within sight—but because of the accident and police barrier, I could not reach it.
With the road blocked, I joined other drivers in trying to avoid the gridlocked high road. But somehow, we kept finding ourselves back in the congestion.
Eventually, after hours on the road, I found another route and made it safely home with only a small amount of petrol remaining.
God Knew
Looking back, I thank God for intervening in my life that night.
I had my own plan. I wanted to wait and buy cheaper petrol at Tesco. But God knew about the accident ahead. He knew the road would be closed. He knew I would spend hours caught in traffic. And He knew that the petrol I had would not be enough.
I could not see what was ahead, but God could.
When that unexpected alarm sounded, God was warning me. Because I listened and turned back, I bought the additional petrol I would need to make it safely home.
Before I knew I had a problem, God had already provided what I needed.
Two Bible passages came to my mind:
- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1KJV).
- “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32: 7-8 KJV).
Call to Action
Sometimes we make plans based on what we can see. We calculate the distance, consider the cost, and decide what seems best.
But God sees what we cannot see.
Is God trying to get your attention today? Is He leading you to do something that doesn't seem necessary or that you don't fully understand?
Pray. Listen. And when God leads, follow Him.
He knows what is around the corner. He sees the road ahead, and He can provide what you need before you even know you need it.
As I drove home that night, I sang praises to God. I still thank Him whenever I remember how He guided and protected me that night. And even now, my heart is filled with gratitude. God, You are wonderful. Thank You for seeing what I could not see, for guiding me, and for protecting me that night.
