The river is flooded and the are creeks overflowing their banks. The road leading up to my house has been closed for days because of the flooding. I KNOW it is closed, but out of habit, I still leave my home and drive toward the river – only to have to stop and turn around when I see the “Road Closed” sign. Nothing like a big ol’ sign blocking my path to make sure I get the message!
God may close roads and block paths that He doesn’t want us to follow. Sometimes we receive an obvious “sign” where options are removed and we are left with limited or no choices – and sometimes the Spirit is more subtle – tugging at our heart or whispering in our ear, leaving us to discern between good and best – or better and worse.
What is my purpose in life? What is God calling me to do with my time, talent and resources? Those are the biggest questions of all. Those are the kinds of questions for which we beg God to provide a “sign” – or a GPS heading us in the best direction. And we are impatient for answers. We have deadlines after all, we can’t just sit on this job offer for a week or this investment opportunity for a night…
The Spirit has been consistently leading me to seek the face of God. He is making it clear to me that I need to look for Him and expect to find Him. He reminds me that His ways are perfect and His agenda has not changed: He wants me to love Him and to love people. We can fulfill those God-given purposes any where that we live, any place that we work, with any time that we have, and in any season of life. The big neon “sign” from God says, “LOVE ME and LOVE OTHERS”.
All the other questions fade away as we are seeking and serving Him. God usually makes things pretty clear. We are the ones who make it confusing. Part of the problem is that there are too many other road signs in our way – and we are reading them all. Stop. Turn around. Read HIS sign, and start again.
“I instruct you in the ways of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” Proverbs 4:11-13
