Maybe you’ve had the same or a similar experience as this while driving; I was traveling in the far left lane of three lanes on the highway headed for home and not far ahead noticed a vehicle merging from the right lane into the center lane. He looked in a hurry, so I hung back and watched to see if he was going to come into my lane ahead of me but when he stayed in the center lane, I continued on and began to pass him. Right about when I got even with his front door, he made his move. Luckily I was paying attention and was able to narrowly avoid a collision by swerving onto the shoulder.
Naturally my mind was on that close call for some time as I drove on and it wasn’t long before my thoughts wandered to how that situation is relatable to our own lives. I’m not going to talk about how we should be looking for possible barriers and pitfalls before making a big move or decision even though that is important. Because the thing is, I wasn’t that guy in this scenario. I wasn’t making any moves. I wasn’t changing lanes. I was just minding own business, driving down the road and out of nowhere I had to take evasive action to avoid catastrophe! I can’t really be angry at the guy. It was honest mistake and one I know I’ve made before.
As I thought about it, it was clear that the only thing that kept me out of that wreck was that I had anticipated the other car might move into my lane. I was spared trouble because I looked ahead. I was prepared. I think the same is true for our spiritual lives. We need to be prepared and have a way to look ahead to avoid the troubles that will inevitably come our way. How do we do that? By reading God’s Word given to us for that purpose. Psalm 119:105 reminds me, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
If we could just spend even a few minutes every day in our Bibles, we’d have the advantage of being prepared for what’s coming our way. God’s Word will guide our feet and light our paths. That means we will have understanding to see what may come our way and be prepared to deal with it. If I hadn’t been prepared for that driver, I could be writing this from a hospital room, or worse. Have you prepared for the road ahead? Have you read your Bible today?
Be a witness,
Nate