“Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life…'” — John 14:5-6
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Athletes want to stay healthy and on the field at every opportunity. Sometimes injuries happen during competition, but on other occasions, bad decisions off the field put great competitors on the shelf for weeks, months and sometimes even years. Since athletes want the freedom to enjoy every opportunity to fulfill their dreams and help their teammates, it’s a dangerous gamble to ignore proper warnings, such as advice from coaches or peers on how to act away from the game.
In a similar way, we need to pay attention to spiritual billboards that direct our way to Heaven and also instruct us on the best way to live in the meantime. When we hurry or are distracted, we are more likely to make mistakes and cause accidents.
When we see flashing lights in our rearview mirror, it’s not usually convenient, but most likely necessary. In fact, those lights might slow us down enough to save our life, even though it may cost us some money. If someone confronts us about our wrongdoing, it’s not helpful to get angry. We should admit what we did and learn to do better. Though David in the Bible was a sinner, he dealt properly with his sin. Therefore, he found forgiveness from the Lord. “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
Many tragedies are prevented when people look and listen. It’s best to open our car windows and look both ways before driving across railroad tracks — if we try to beat a train, we’ll likely lose. Just as we should think clearly when driving, we need to daily get our hearts and minds right so we are ready to make good decisions. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
When Thomas wondered how to live, Jesus showed him by both His example and His words. “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life…'” (John 14:5-6).
God doesn’t want us to be careless or reckless. Though the Lord often rescues us after we make bad decisions and sin, it’s so much better when we listen to the Lord the first time. We need His wisdom to live a full life. He’s given us all that we need to know for how to live a Godly life, we just need to follow His ways.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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