TE PAATI

“You do realise how serious the accident was, don’t you?” asked the doctor, speaking as gently as he could.

THE FORCE of the impact welded the two cars together. When the dust settled there was no movement and no sound save for the trickling of water and the hissing of steam from the broken motors. The night was calm and still with a full moon, but violence and death filled the air. Inside one of the cars a form moved. Sue stared in disbelief and whispered, “Johnny, Johnny.” There was no answer. She put her hands to her face and drew them away quickly. They were covered in blood. “Johnny!” She shrieked, “Answer me!” But there was still no answer and she fell forward, unconscious in the seat.

At the hospital five bodies were quickly removed from the ambulances and formed a long procession as they were wheeled down the clean, white corridors. There was urgency in the steps of doctors and nurses as all traffic led to the emergency operating room.

Time, like some great hovering vulture, seemed to pause in its race to eternity, while relatives sat down and got

TUPU WHAKARANGI

(Growing Heavenward) ISSUE 239, JULY-AUGUST, 2021 Editor: Graham Batson

Mail: PO Box 10, Whanganui 4540. Email: info.maoripostal@gmail.com www.maoripostal.co.nz

up from chairs which lined the waiting room. Occasionally they glanced at the large clock on the far wall as though the answer to their problems lay hidden on its face. A doctor entered the room, paused and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. No one spoke. Everyone wanted to hear what he would say – yet everyone dreaded what he might say. He walked over to a middle-aged couple seated near the door and asked quietly, “Are you Mr and Mrs Sutherland?” “Yes, we are,” the man replied.

The white-faced couple slowly followed the doctor into the corridor. He motioned to a row of chairs and the three sat down. “You realise how

serious the accident was, don’t you?”

he asked, speaking as gently as he could. Mr Sutherland nodded and placed his hand on his wife’s arm. “I’m sorry to have to tell you that your son was fatally injured”.

Neither parent spoke. The doctor handed a prescription to Mr Sutherland and suggested they use this medicine until the shock wore off. Mrs Sutherland sat dry-eyed, mentally reliving life with her son. Johnny had been a lovable youngster, an only child. Love and affection had been heaped upon him. Schoolmates vied for a place at the top of his list of friends. He did well with his schoolwork. When he was 16 his car took the place of church and the youth group. Gradually he moved into the party scene. Soon he was into alcohol and drugs, and now – death.

Johnny’s parents rose from their chairs, their hopes shattered, and their lives an empty vacuum of despair. “How is Sue Harper?” asked Mr Sutherland, inquiring about the condition of Johnny’s girl friend. “We think Sue will be alright,” replied the doctor evenly, “if there are no internal injuries. She had her seat belt fastened and apparently Johnny didn’t.”

“Oh, if we could only turn the clock back to yesterday,” whispered Mrs Sutherland. “Perhaps we could have avoided this tragedy.”

It was only about twenty-four hours before that Johnny Sutherland and his friend, Dave Stevens, had been in the company of a friend who was a Christian, Rick Brown. He had invited them over for coffee and was telling them about the hockey game their youth group had been involved in the previous Saturday. Johnny and Dave had not attended youth group for some time and Rick was trying to regain their interest and steer them away from their partying and drinking. They were the only two associated with the group who had not received Christ as Saviour.

“We miss you two, you know,” Rick said. “Why not join us next Saturday for a walk out to the old copper mine? We leave from the church at 8:30 and you’ll need to bring lunch.”

“No,” replied Johnny putting his hands in his pockets and leaning back in his chair. “Since there are so many other things to do, we just don’t have time for the group any more.”

“How about you, Dave?” asked Rick. Dave shuffled his feet awkwardly, “Well, I miss the group at times, but I guess I’m in the same boat as Johnny. There just isn’t time for everything”.

The three talked about various things such as sports and jobs. Then, after a brief pause Rick said, “I’ve been thinking about you two lately and I’m wondering if you’ve ever taken Christ into your hearts and lives.” After another pause Johnny finally replied, “I’ve thought about it a bit over the last few months, but I don’t think I need to just yet.”

“You don’t think you’ve put it off too long?” asked Rick. “Today would be a good time to receive Him.” Dave didn’t answer. His eyes met Rick’s briefly, and then dropped to the floor. Johnny cleared his throat and spoke up quickly before Dave had time to commit himself. “Well, you know Rick, we’re pretty young and strong and I don’t figure on dying for a while yet. I rather like life the way it is. I’ll probably just go along like I am in the meantime.”

“I’m worried about you, Johnny. I don’t want to preach at you but the Bible makes it clear we have no guarantee what’s in store for us tomorrow. It’s dangerous to put off being saved.” Johnny responded, “There’s no use trying to talk me into it. I’ve heard that story a hundred times before.” He got up and started toward the door, “Look, I’d better be going. I’ve got things to do before the party tonight. Thanks for the coffee, Rick.”

He paused and then looked towards Dave who remained seated. Neither spoke for a moment, and at last Dave spoke up, “Johnny, I’m through running away from God. I’m going to receive Christ today. All this stuff we’ve been doing lately doesn’t really do it for me any more. In fact, I’ve been feeling pretty rotten about it all. I’m not going to put off my decision again.”

Johnny was silent. He looked at Dave and Rick as though he could not believe what he had just heard, then he turned around and strode out. Rick called out to him, but the only answer was the slamming of the door.

There was a party that night, but Dave was not there. He had talked with Rick for a while longer about receiving Christ as his Saviour, and finally the two men had dropped to their knees and, in a simple prayer, Dave asked the Lord to cleanse his heart and life and to save him.

Sue Harper was not at the party (te paati) either. She lay critically injured in hospital, not yet fully aware of what had taken place. Doctors had worked over her with professional skill and compassion. Yes, she would live, but what of her future? Would she also put off receiving Christ until it was too late?

Neither did Johnny Sutherland arrive at the party that night. He was travelling too fast on a bend and skidded into the path of an on-coming car. He would never go to any more parties. His opportunity to receive Christ had also gone – Johnny was dead!

Dave rose from his knees with a look of peace and inner joy on his face. He had made his decision to receive Christ, and now he felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Christ now lived within him. He hugged his friend, Rick in joy and gratitude and walked out of that house a new person.