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Yellow to Red


Do you know what I hate more than red lights? Yellow lights! Seriously, I can see the red light coming, so I prepare to make my stop. A yellow light, however, doesn't give me the luxury of planning for it - the street is totally clear and I can see the green light about a half a mile or so before I get there. 

No big deal until I get close and the light turns to yellow! A decision suddenly thrusts itself into my life, not a planned decision, but one that is on the verge of right and wrong - the question that I have to answer: can I make it? 

It takes what seems like 5 minutes to decide that I shouldn't run the almost-red light, so I come to a screeching halt. Then the three cars behind me go through the intersection. 

Why bring this up? I am sure that many people run into this type of situation on an almost daily basis. Well, what if we were to relate a yellow and then red light to our spiritual lives? Think about it. I know for me, I go into some sort of trance when I am driving, and without even thinking about it I have driven miles to get to my destination. I would say that is how, at times, I live my life. I go through the daily routine, and at the end of the day I can hardly tell you what it is that I did. 

So, is that my life? Just to go through the typical motions everyday and have nothing to really show for it? What have I been missing out on? All of these questions are crying out for some sort of resolution, something that can be a reminder that we aren't here to just sit back and let this life just pass us by.

I believe that God puts various yellow lights into our daily lives so that we have time to slow down, and at times he also gives us red lights so we can stop completely and look around at the world we live in. Maybe it is a traffic signal, internet problems, or a long line at the grocery store - but whatever it is, those small stops in our day, what we may consider inconvenient at the time, might actually be signals to look around. Remember, we carry the light of the world - from the savior of all mankind, and most people out there have no idea what they are missing out on. 

I will try to stop living just to get to the next day, and start living for today. The questions that I will ask myself will be: what kind of an impact can I have today for those in need? who has God put into my life to share the message of the Gospel with? how can I do what he has called me to do? 

So there it is. The decision is in front of you now. That yellow light has been up there for long enough and you know what to do next. Your decision is how you are going to respond to it. 

In Christ,

Jon and Vicky

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