Good morning and happy Saturday. I hope that you have power at your house. Ours was knocked out during the storm yesterday afternoon so I am at the church using the internet and power to send this out to the 3 people that actually read it. BTW, we have a men’s breakfast at the church this morning at 8. Brother Charles will be sharing about his recent mission trip to South Sudan.
One day I was driving on Blackfish Parkway on my way back to the church. I was second in a small line of cars that was nearing a construction zone. As we did, there was a man helping to control the flow of traffic through the work zone. However, his actions caught my attention and gave me a laugh. He was standing in one of the lanes directing traffic and he was holding a sign emblazoned with the word “SLOW” on it. Of course, being obedient and respectful drivers, we all slowed down as we entered the work zone. However, apparently he had received a call on the radio that there was traffic waiting at the other end of the project so he would need to reverse the sign to the side that said “STOP” once we went through. So, there he was, holding a “SLOW” sign in one hand and making big, sweeping gestures with his other to get us to hurry up. I could not help but laugh at the conflicting messages that he was sending to the traveling public. The motorist at the front of the line had a hard time processing the information and couldn’t decide how to reconcile going slow and hurrying up at the same time. Fortunately, we all made it through alive and went on with our day. I just wonder if that construction worker went home frustrated because of all the dumb drivers that couldn’t follow his simple directions.
Sometimes life can be like that. We get mixed signals from other people and we really don’t know how to respond. Perhaps a text or a comment in an email that seems inconsistent with other conversations that you have had. Sometimes, maybe it is just a look or an attitude. Whatever the case, all of these type of things can leave you a bit confused on what to do or how to respond. I guess that is where discernment comes it. In all situations, we need to try to see the big picture and determine what is really going on. There are a lot of times, just like the construction worker, where people don’t realize they are sending a mixed message; where the words and the gestures don’t seem to add up . That is when we, as followers of Christ, do the right thing and ask for clarification, all the while exhibiting grace and mercy. As you know, making assumptions never really seems to help resolve anything.
I find it very interesting that it is amazing the lessons in life that can be learned or reinforced by simply being observant to the world around you. Just in the last few weeks I have mentioned a construction worker with a traffic control sign, a leaf suspended in mid-air, reconciling a checkbook, a news story, etc. Let me encourage you to keep your eyes open to all that can be learned from life’s experiences. Doing so makes for a more interesting journey, even if you are simply driving to the church.
May God bless each of you are you serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May He receive all of the praise and glory that He deserves!
Larry
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