God is present in our darkness. On the Wednesday edition of Live the Promise Susie is talking with Major Scotty Smiley. He shares his faith journey and how God sustained him after losing his eyesight in Iraq.
On April 6, 2005, Scotty had been on patrol in Iraq when his unit encountered a man sitting in a car.
“I was given a mission to find a suicide car bomb. Being in my Stryker vehicle, I spotted a suspicious vehicle. The rules of engagement mean you can’t just shoot someone because you’re scared – you have to have a direct threat. I made the decision to cordon him off – I parked my Stryker vehicle just thirty yards from him.
I yelled at him to get out of his vehicle. He responded shaking his head no. He let his foot off the brake, and I knew something wasn’t right. I shot two rounds [of ammunition] in front of his vehicle and boom, my world went black.”
Scotty woke up two weeks later with the realization that he was entirely blind as a result of this suicide bomber. His faith was affected as well as his vision.
“What also went black was my faith. I thought I’d done everything – I didn’t have the strength that Job had; he may have questioned God but he never stopped believing in Him… I had to forgive the man who blew himself up, I had to forgive myself, and I had to ask God to forgive me. Once I was able to do that, I was able to start rebuilding my life.”
Scotty doesn’t feel like a hero, but he points to the friends and family of those serving who deserve the most recognition.
“I thank those spouses and loved ones who give their family members to support our freedoms.”
Key Scriptures: Philippians 4:13; Psalm 18:34; 2 Timothy 2:1-4
Theme Song: You Amaze Us by Selah
Highlight : A roadside bomb and a rocked faith
This program has been previously aired.
