Street of life
On the road of life. That's a well-known catchphrase. In a figurative sense, we humans are traveling on the road of life, where there are many traffic signs to follow. Anyone who simply drives off blindly is putting themselves and others in danger! How should we behave in daily traffic? First of all we have to get to know the traffic signs.
1. Theoretical learning
God's Word gives us the answer to every traffic situation in life. Simply having a superficial knowledge of the Bible is never enough!
„And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 3:15 (ESV)
Anyone who thinks they can get by with just a little driving experience is very much mistaken!
2. Practical application
On the other hand, there are also theorists who fail in practice because they cannot apply their knowledge correctly. It is a false ambition to want to get by with as few driving hours as possible during training. Even among believing people, there should be many more people who, through their thorough knowledge of the Bible and rich experience with God, help us and warn us of dangers in good time.
3. Different traffic situations
Be careful of dangerous slopes
"Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.. John 8:34 (ESV)
Traffic jam
„For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.“, Hebrews 10:36 (ESV)
Stop signs
Blessed is the man[1] who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. Psalm 1:1 (ESV)
Give way
...„but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3b (ESV).
No overtaking
You can't get past Christ! He speaks:
...„Follow me!“ John 1:43b (ESV).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..John 14:6 (ESV).
Gas station
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
Provide first aid
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:33+34 (ESV)
Roadside assistance
..."But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1b (ESV).
Reversible plate
„return to me, for I have redeemed you.!" Isaiah 44:22b (ESV)
Parking
„Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.," Hebrew 4:11 (ESV)
Emergency call
„and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me, "Psalm 50:15 (ESV).
4. The best driving instructor
Sometimes people give up hope of ever passing their driving test. In life too, many people resign when they realize that they are making the same mistakes over and over again. But God has given us a driving instructor to help us throughout our lives - the Holy Spirit.
It alerts us to dangers, corrects our driving style if necessary and, in an emergency, even applies the brakes if we do not correctly assess the traffic situation. Anyone who entrusts their life to him can confidently face the problems and dangers of life.
5. The destination of our journey
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13 (ESV)
A train driver once talked to his colleague about the sky. He said: “I can hardly put into words what Jesus means to me. He is my whole hope. In the past, when I had almost completed my route and the last corner came, I would always blow the steam whistle and give a loud signal. Around the bend I could see our little house at the top of the hill."
Father and mother then stood in the door and waved to me. When I drove past, they would go back into the house and say, “Thank God, Benny came back safe and sound today!”
Yes, now my parents are gone forever and no one welcomes me when I come home. But one day, when I finish my journey down here and get near the gates of heaven, my dear mother and father will be there waiting for me. And they will say to each other: “Thank God, Benny has finally reached home safely!”
Author: Egon Waechter
Image 1: https://unsplash.com/de
Images 2 - 5: https://www.bing.com/images/create
