Hello, That’s a One-Way Sign.

Everyone has seen the one-way sign before. The sign alerting you that you cannot turn in a certain direction because traffic is only allowed in one direction. So to obey the traffic laws, we go up a block or turn around, or do we? Who has ever turned down that one-way street before because of distraction or sheer defiance? Did you know this one-way sign is a lot like us following God? This is the next part of the road sign series. As travelers, we see a lot of signs and thought it would be fun to relate them to the Bible.

Two Factors cause us to ignore that One Way Sign

there are two simple factors that cause people to ignore the one-way sign and those are distraction and defiance.

Distraction-

It happens often. Your yelling at your kid in the backseat or jamming to the tunes on your radio. Perhaps there is a lot going on in your mind or haven’t had much sleep. So you turn down that one-way street despite the blaring signs.

Just like driving, this happens with us and God too. We are just going about our day to day grooving on through life. We are talking to the squirrel circus in our heads. Something, anything is causing a distraction.

Perhaps we are distracted by a problem and it’s clouding our thinking. No matter what the situation that is causing our distraction, God is tossing signs at us too that we are going in the wrong direction. But, we are too distracted and we start heading down that one-way street.

Defiance-

“I don’t give a rat’s butt. If I go down this one-way street in the wrong direction, I can reach my destination quicker. It’s only three short blocks. What’s the big deal? I’m an awesome driver.”

“I’m the best driver in the world. I got this.”

Whatever the defiant response, you are heading down that one way street and you really don’t care what happens to you or anything around you. You are going for it. Pull a little Smokey and the Bandit action and you are good to go.

Again, this is just like driving. You want what you want. You don’t care what the Bible has to say about it. Who cares. So what, a few lives might be hurt. Heck, you might not even come out unscathed. But, you go for it anyway.

“You know what God, I do not care. I like the way that path looks and I’m going for it. That job is for someone else? I want it. It’s mine. I will lie, cheat and steal to get it. I really don’t care”

or …

“I think that path looks more fun even though I’m truly supposed to go in the complete opposite direction. Sorry, God, I’m going for it. Try to stop me. I dare you.”

The Consequences-

As we physically drive down that one-way street either because of distraction or defiance, we might skate by dodging a few oncoming cars and pedestrians, however, somehow by the grace of God make it safely to the end of the road and are able to go about our lives.

We could receive a ticket. Here comes the police. They pull you over and tell you that you are going the wrong way. You could be lucky and just receive a warning or get fined.

The worst scenario is that there could be an accident. Property or lives could be hurt or even worse. Going down that one-way street can change your life forever and the lives of others and not for the better.

Again, this scenario fits perfectly with the Bible-

God puts out the signs but we are so distracted by the tweety birds or life’s problems, that we ignore the signs. We might get away with it at first, but then what?

We pretty much thumb our noses at God and tell Him, “who cares, if you want me to not head that direction. I like that path and I’m going for it. Who are you tell me otherwise? You are just God.” Next thing you know, bam. Your life is a wreck and you are completely lost. You might stand in the middle of that one-way street God told you not to go down and cry out to Him. Then learn your lesson and turn around.

However, in a worst-case scenario, you might just keep going hurting people around you, cause destruction. Eventually, not listening to God wrecks your life, and even worse can send you somewhere very warm and it’s not sitting on an island beach with one of those fruity, neon drinks with the little umbrellas.

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
John 12:48

What Can We Do-

• The simplest thing to do is pay attention.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Hebrews 2:1 ESV

• Don’t Do It.

• Change your attitude.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 3:5, NIV

• Avoid Temptation

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

• Listen to God. God knows our path before we were even born

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

• Look for signs to stay in the correct direction. One way to do this is to read the Bible. Be in the Word. Keep our minds and hearts open.

• Stop and turnaround.

• Cry Out

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:2

• Get right with Him.

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.
John 8:47

• Pray

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.Colossians 4:2 NIV

Final Thoughts-

Next time you see a one-way street sign, remember it’s very similar to following God and the path he has laid out for you. The question is, will you listen to God and stay the course or will you ignore him and head down the one-way street no matter the cost? We all have been given free-will. So, what will you do?

New to this series? Well, there are four more parts! Happy reading. Feel free to share just give us credit! Thank you.

1. Falling Rock Zone
2. Stop Sign
3. Railroad Crossing
4. High Voltage Sign