Cornerstone

Luke 15:11-32

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isa. 53:6

My wife got me a GPS (Global Positioning System) for Christmas! I had been hinting for a long time that I wanted one. She gave no indication that she was impressed with my great need. When we found them deeply discounted and we were about to leave for a 1600 mile trip to visit our son’s family in California for Christmas, however, I was able to “sell” her on the wonderful benefits of the technological toy.

This morning I took my wife to work. I didn’t need to use the GPS because I knew the route well. There is still some new to wear off of the little wonder so I hooked it up and turned it on. It was still programmed from the previous day to navigate to my home. As we left our drive and headed toward her workplace the lady’s voice on the GPS began to try to get me to go to the destination that was programmed in the GPS – my home! We had just gone one block when the GPS lady told me to turn right. She wanted to take me around the block and back to my house. This continued throughout the whole trip to my wife’s workplace. I was amused at the insistent effort of the electronic lady as she tried persistently to get me to go back home.

Later as I drove on toward my workplace I mused over the situation. This seemed to be so much like the voice of God that speaks to us when we stray away from His will. He talks to us step by step along the way trying to persuade us to make a U turn and come back to Him. No matter how far we stray, He is there by our side. His voice is clear. The message is consistent. The confidence is sure . . . we can get back home if we will just turn from our own way and return to Him.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Exodus 2:11-15 (12)

The young man walked urgently down the California street. It was clear to see that he was very serious. His voice carried a long distance down the street as he called out to any one within sight, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.!”

I followed a car driven by an elderly man who seemed to be just as urgent in his witness. His message was vocally loud but it shouted out in its own way. All across the fenders, bumpers and windows could be seen various stickers urging people to prepare for the coming of the Lord, repent, and turn from various social evils.

Those who are serious about following Jesus all have their own perspective regarding what it means to be an active witness for Christ. Just as Moses who thought he was doing the right thing, however, we often hinder rather than help the process of darkness become light in the understanding of those we hope to reach. Jesus must have had us in mind when He spoke of the need for His disciples to be as “Wise as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.” Before we strike out against evil it would be well if we would see how many prospective Christians we will kill in our onslaught.

Dr. Gayle Woods