By DARRYL WOOD / Guest Columnist

About the time I saw the driver in front of me, he yelled, “Beep! Beep!” For a 4-year-old, he practiced pretty good sidewalk etiquette.

His training wheel-equipped bicycle weaved all over the sidewalk. So I knew his “Beep! Beep!” meant business.

I stepped to the grass and shot back, “And a ‘Beep! Beep!’ to you, too, Dale, Jr.” Apparently he wasn’t used to responses to his warnings. He stopped pedaling and glared back at me from over his shoulder. At that point I decided to find another sidewalk. That one wasn’t big enough for the both of us.

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the warning. It kept us both out of trouble. Sometimes it pays to heed the warnings that come your way.

Jesus began His preaching ministry with a warning to all hearers. And He echoed that theme constantly. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus’ warning carried a different tone from that of my biker friend. It was not a “get out of my way” type of admonition. Instead, Jesus challenged people to “get on board.” He ushered in a new era in which God desired to reign in human hearts.

Jesus warned of a need to “change life direction” because the way you are going leads nowhere good. Are you headed nowhere good? You trusted your own judgment and it got you in hot water with the boss. You can’t seem to figure out the next step in a relationship that’s gone sour. Or you’re so stressed you can’t do anything right.

In that case hear the “Beep! Beep!” Take Jesus’ warning and offer of help to change direction. Relinquish control of your life to Him. You’ll never pay attention to a better warning.

 

The Rev. Dr. Darryl Wood is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Vincent. You can reach him at dwood132@fbcvincent.org.