This is a true story. The Australian Workers’ Compensation Board received the following written report of an accident.
“I am writing in response to your request for additional information in the accident report form (block J).”
“I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a six story building.” “When I completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over (weight 500 pounds). I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.”
“Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out, loaded the bricks. I went down, untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the bricks.”
“You will note on ‘Block 11’ of the accident report that I weigh 135 lbs. I was jerked off the ground so suddenly I forgot to let go of the rope.”
“I proceeded at a rapid rate up and in the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was coming down. This explains the skull fracture and the broken collarbone as listed in section three of the report.”
“I continued going up the side of the building, not stopping until my knuckles were in the pulley. I held tightly to the rope, in spite of a great deal of pain.”
” The bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now the barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you again to my weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.”
“At the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations.”
“The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lesson my injuries when I fell in the pile of bricks. Fortunately only 3 vertebrae were cracked.”
“As I lay there in pain on the pile of bricks, unable to move, I let go of the rope and the barrel begin its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs. I hope this answers your inquiry, Thanks, Owen J.” (retired).”
Salvation, redemption, reconciliation is not an accident. One doesn’t become a believer by accident. Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile” (Romans 1:15). God Planned it, designed it, blue-printed it. Jesus purchased it, paid for it, secured it. The Holy Spirit empowers it. God did it, Christ ‘done’ it, and the Holy Spirit Does it. DID, DONE, DOES! But not by accident.
