By Joseph J. Bucci ——Bio and Archives--July 18, 2024
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You hear people say it all the time. Someone who was nearly hurt in an accident will say something like, “I thought for sure I was gonna get crushed, but God moved that car out of my way.” Another person who faces the loss of employment, or some type of failure, where the odds suddenly turn in their favor might say, “I thought for sure that I would not be able to recover; but God provided something I could not even have expected.”
Those of us who are political junkies and were listening to or watching the broadcast of former President Donald Trump and his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania this past weekend had a “but God” moment when a slight turn of the head prevented an unthinkable tragedy for occurring after an assassination attempt. The former President himself acknowledged as much the day after this horrific incident when he said, “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead.” “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here.” (Goodwin, 2024). This was a “but God” moment if there ever was one.
Many have already taken pen to paper (or more specifically fingers to keyboards) to extol the life-saving work of God on behalf of Mr. Trump. I have nothing extraordinary to add to their affirmations of God’s favor. But I am compelled to exhort anyone and everyone to grasp the significance of these “but God” moments, not only in Trump’s life but in each of our lives. These moments are real for each of us, and bring us a divine opportunity to contemplate the purpose of our existence in the light of time and eternity. I have witnessed in the days since this horrible tragedy dozens of commentators and political pundits acknowledge the hand of Almighty God in Mr. Trump’s life. I think we may be on the threshold of the revival for which we have prayed.
This “But God” phrase which I am using is extremely........