| (Copyright 2023) by Santosh Poonen (Bangalore, India) |
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| “As for the days of our life, soon they are gone and we flyaway. So, teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:10,12) We are approaching the end of another calendar year. This is a good opportunity to remind ourselves through the words of this psalm, how short our time on this earth is, and how important every single moment in life is. As you think about the road ahead in the new year, here are FOUR very simple Road Rules to live by: Stop at the red lights Our tendency is to rush through life, assuming that we only have green lights. Instead, whenever we come to an intersection where we have to make a decision, let us stop and acknowledge God there. If we ask Him to show us which way to proceed, He will reply with directions (Read Isaiah 30:21), and He will make the road ahead of us straight (Proverbs 3:6). On the other hand, if we do not wait for God to turn the light to green, we will end up in an accident. Don’t stop at the green lights Every opportunity we get to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus is a green light that we must always go through without waiting. Every situation in which we can build a bridge to repair relationships with someone is a green light, and we must always go through that without waiting (Romans 12:18). One of the proofs that we have truly been made new in Christ is that we have become “reconcilers” (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). When we have the opportunity to apologize and set things right with someone, if we delay – because of our pride, or by defending ourselves, or by blaming the other person – that would be like not moving forward at a green light. We will be blocking traffic, and eventually, we will get into an accident. Instead, let us always be quick to go through the green light of being peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). “If we don’t wait for God to turn the light to green, we will end up in an accident.” Don’t drive off the road As we travel along the road of our journey with God, the devil will constantly try to get us to drive off the road. Along the side of the road are many flowers and trees, (the opinions of other people) that can distract us. If we allow the desire to please others, or the fear of what they will think of us, to distract us (Galatians 1:10), then we will soon drive off the highway and end up in a crash. My father used to tell me frequently, “You have the choice of either impressing people or blessing them. Choose to bless them always.” To impress people, you need to be talented – and the more of “you” the better. But if you want to really help them, however, you need the power of the Holy Spirit – and then the less of “you”, the better (John 3:30)! Stay in your lane Unfortunately, many people have the habit of not staying in the lane marked on the road, and this often leads to accidents. In our Christian life also, God has drawn lanes for our protection. Staying in our lane means minding our own business always (1Thessalonians 4:11-12) and never being a busybody in other people’s matters (2 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Peter 4:15). When we get involved with matters that do not concern us at all, that is like crossing over the line into someone else’s lane. This will eventually damage our own life as well as the lives of others around us. And finally: Let us not drive slowly and drag our way along this journey. But instead, let us drive at full speed to win the heavenly prize (1 Corinthians 9:24)! We wish you all a very blessed New Year, full of God’s richest blessing every day. ———————————————————————————————————– See Santosh Poonen’s other articles at: Poonen, Santosh – Church of God, Bismarck (church-of-god-bismarck.org) Reprinted with permission from: Christian Fellowship Church https://www.cfcindia.com/ ———————————————————————————————————– |
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