Road Signs for Living

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting excerpts from my Bible study-Road Signs for Living. I pray you will read it, think about it, study it, and allow God to apply the principles to your life. Be blessed today as you study the Word of God.

Introduction

As a commuter, I found that traveling the same road day after day, week after week, month after month, lulled me into a mechanical routine. As with all routines, I quickly learned to perform by rote the motions necessary to get me to my destination. Although I was aware and my eyes were open and functioning, I was not really paying attention. Isn’t that what happens with most of our lives? We go through a thousand routines by habit, ritual, or tradition—not really living, simply existing.

One spring morning as I drove from the beautiful and peaceful Texas Hill Country toward my job in the hustle and bustle of San Antonio, for some reason I began to be more fully aware of road signs. “Slow Curve.” “Guardrail Damage Ahead.” “Highway Intersection 1000 Feet.” When I passed a sign that read “Observe Warning Signs – State Law,” I heard the voice of my Father God whisper to my spirit, “Pay attention to the road signs.”

Instantly, I began to notice the triangular, octagonal, rectangular and circular signs of red, white, blue, yellow and green. There were informational signs such as “City Limits” and “Interstate Highway 2 Miles.” Some instructional signs included: “Speed Limit 55 MPH” and “One Way.” Warning signs read, “Caution,” and “Do Not Enter.” Each sign had a common purpose; to provide knowledge and thereby ensure the safety of those traveling on that particular stretch of road.

As I drove, I was momentarily startled to see the flashing blue lights of a police car in my rear view mirror. The car sped past me, apparently on the way to “remind” another driver of the consequences of not obeying the road signs. Even though I had broken no laws, knowing that someone else was facing reprimand made me more cautious during the rest of my commute.

Along the way that morning, God showed me that He provides road signs for living, and that obedience to those signs gives us purpose, direction and protection. As with signs along the streets and highways, God provides informational, instructional, and warning signs to guide us on the journey through life.

I began to question: What specific purposes do God’s signs serve? Why does He place them along our way? Are God’s signs simply suggestions? Are they commands? Do we face consequences when we do not heed them?

Those questions led me on a search for God’s road signs; a search that resulted in this study. Like the highway system, our world is ever changing, but God is never changing. My hope is that you will see and heed His “Road Signs for Living” through this study of His Word.

© Joyce Powell