REFLECTIONS
April 22, 2012
 
 
Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalm 86:17
 
 
Road Signs
 
The sign read, “Destination 70.” Over the years the sign became so familiar that I usually ignored it. While Destination was not the actual name of the town, the sign let me know I was on the right road and the distance remaining to the place I was going. All I had to do was follow the road I was on for about an hour.
When there is a clear road to follow and there are signs along the way to provide information about the places ahead and the distance to them, travel is pretty simple. Most thoroughfares in our country are well marked with signs that not only tell us how far to the next town, but also that warn of rough roads, caution about loose gravel, and point toward detours to take. Follow the signs to reach a destination. It sounds so easy; if only the road of life was that simple to follow.
The road of life is not as clearly marked. Even what can be seen can vanish as quickly as a mirage in the desert. A path that is clear one day may be completely fogged over the next. Then there are the issues of road signs. Some are difficult to find; some are easily overlooked, and some seem to draw attention too late. But of all of God’s road signs, perhaps the most difficult to accept are the ones that read, “Road Closed" or "Dead End." These messages may sound easy to understand, but they may become so familiar that they are easily ignored.
God’s road signs are also ignored because the message is one we don’t want to hear, or we believe we know a better way. But there comes a time when God’s road signs are likely to become clear.
When we find ourselves retracing the steps that led us down a dead end street, it becomes much easier to pick up on the road signs that were ignored along the way. Hindsight is one of God’s ways to teach sign reading. With hindsight, God’s handwriting is easier to read; but of greater importance, hindsight reveals that God has been with us all along. That’s the message He so carefully crafts in them all. He is with us always, and He expects us to find our way only by looking to him.
All we must do is follow.
 
You are the light of the world,
RichardÌ


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