Warning Signs

    The other morning while traveling to a friend’s house, a driver heading toward me flashed his lights at two different tymes. Once when he was far back, and then again when he was getting ready to pass me. We were on a country road, complete with winding curves and rolling hills or “whoa bumps” as I named them for my niece and nephews. You know, it’s that type of little hill that, when you go over it at just the right speed, makes your stomach leap up to your throat and you cannot help but let out an audible “WHOA.”

    At the driver’s first, distant signal, I immediately thought to check my speed. You see, around these parts, flashing lights often indicate that there is a police officer ahead who, if you don’t, is ready to check your speed for you. While I was confident that I was not speeding, I glanced down at the speedometer just to reassure myself. As it turned out, I was going about ten miles under the speed limit and quickly let go of that fear that an officer would pull me over.

    A few seconds later when the driver flashed his lights again as he passed me, I let off the accelerator and began pondering what message of warning the driver was giving me. I thought perhaps some cows got out and were in the road. You laugh, but there was a tyme I had to call the County Sheriff because of that very issue. (Ah, the joys of small-town life). Then I thought perhaps there was an accident ahead, and, since I couldn’t see over the “whoa bumps” in front of me, the driver was making me aware. All I really knew was that the driver was trying to tell me something.

    As I continued, now at a crawling pace, I went over one hill, then the next, and as I crested the last hill in the series, I found myself facing the back of a slow-moving skid loader with no lights or indicators of any kind. Even at my extremely slow pace, I was quickly too close to the machine and had to swerve out into the other lane to go around it. Fortunately for both me and the driver of the skid loader, there was nothing coming the other way and I made it around safely.

    Driving on, I couldn’t help but have a sincere amount of gratitude for the driver who warned me of the unseen danger ahead. Had I been going at my original speed, there’s no way I would have had enough tyme to avoid the skid loader. The driver knew what I didn’t, and he chose to do what he could to inform me of what I needed to know to stay safe.  As I drove on, I considered his actions. I couldn’t help but wonder if I too am doing what I can to tell others that I encounter of the unseen dangers around us.

    Let’s face it, life isn’t easy. There are a lot of difficulties that can overtake the mind. It can be overwhelming and thus far too easy to get wrapped up in things that don’t hold a lasting importance. Stress, pressure, drama and a plethora of other distractions can make us so self-focused that we can’t see the proverbial forest for the trees. So as that driver shared a warning with, I had to ask myself some questions.

    Have I told anyone lately about salvation in Jesus? Have I shared with anyone lately about what Jesus is doing in my life? Have I remembered to credit God when talking to someone about my blessings? Have I thought to invite someone to church or to Bible Study? When I encountered someone searching for answers, have I shared scripture them? Or have I been too distracted by my own life?

    No one was more aware of life’s overwhelming distractions than Jesus. Once His public ministry started, Jesus was busy. He had people coming to Him constantly with needs that only He could meet. He had friends (disciples) that fought and bickered and created drama around Him. He struggled with lack of funds for earthly needs. He dealt constantly with the pressure of “powerful” people who were threatened by His presence. Still, amidst all the distractions, Jesus never missed and opportunity to teach, explain or warn those around Him.

    While the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke document different accounts in Jesus’ ministry, one thing they all have in common is parables. Jesus used parables like the Good Samaritan to teach compassion and friendship. He used parables like The Seed and The Sower to explain The Word of God. And He used parables like The Wedding Feast to warn about missing out on the kingdom of Heaven.

(Side note: The gospel of John does contain a few parable-like entries; however they are not labeled as parables. The gospel of John is more of an allegory or narrative of events and interactions.)

    The thing about Jesus and His parables was that while He came for everyone and wanted everyone to believe in Him, He also knew that many had no desire to know the truth. So, He revealed the truth in story form, knowing that those who heard it and took it to heart would seek out its meaning, but those who heard only a story wouldn’t care to understand it.

    Much like when the driver flashed his lights at me, I had two choices. I could either seek out the meaning of the message or I could ignore it. On the other hand, without the message, not only did I have no choice, but I also had no chance. You see, just like Jesus hid the truth in stories for truth-seekers to find, we need to find a way to get the message of God’s truth to those around us so that they too have a choice and a chance of eternal life.

    The trouble is, sharing the truth is not an easy thing to do in a world that doesn’t want to hear the truth … or that wants to change the truth to suit its own desires. But as believers, we still need to try. We need to try and warn people of the dangers of leaving this world without knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We need to shine it, show it, speak it, glow it, hope it, live it, grow it and give it every chance we can. Because Jesus won when He conquered death and rose again. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one can or will be saved without Him.

    So, if you are aware of it, share it. Whether it is by giving facts, or revealing it in stories, or living it out in actions and deeds, share the truth. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus tells his followers (those present and those to come) that we are the light of the world. He also says that once a light is lit, no one should put it under a basket where it can’t be seen. So, in a sense, Jesus is telling us, the next tyme you get the opportunity to pass someone, flash your lights.