Caution! Curves Ahead . . . Stay Focused!

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

(Proverbs 4:25-27)

We all have noticed the warnings along country roads and mountain highways: slippery when wet . . . bridges freeze before roadway . . . runaway truck ramp . . . and my favorite, DUI enforcement area. Come on, when do we allow folks to drive drunk . . . really?

Seriously though, we are often warned of dangerous situations ahead of us in life.In fact, as we are doing our family devotions this morning, my nine year old son asked, "Daddy, when does wisdom keep us safe?" He was studying Proverbs as well(Proverbs 5). Just as warning signs are not just pretty decorations along the highway,Godly advice is not simply casual conversation to pass the the time away. Heeding the advice of Scripture keeps us from hurt, harm, and even death!


As a driver who travels often with my family, I have come to appreciate the rumble strips along the sides of the road as well. As with most family trips, many times I am left alone in the driver's seat as everyone else dozes off, enjoying the gentle rocking of the vehicle. At times I may slightly (slightly I said!) take my mind off the road and hear the gentle bump . . . bump . . . bump as my right tire barely grazes the rumble strips.

However slight, this reminds me to re-focus, stay in my lane, and not swerve right or left. There is danger if I do not do these things! It's the same in life. God gives us boundaries as do our parents, teachers, and spiritual leaders. Veering right or left can cause us pain and injury both physicially and spiritually. It can harm us as individuals, put our families in danger, and place a black eye upon the Church as a whole.

As a curious world looks upon the believer, we need to show that we are grounded in morals and that we live our what we teach and preach. We have the ultimate role model in our Savior who stay focused on the Father's will for His life throughout His time on earth.

We must be found

. . .fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:2)

Drive safely this summer!!!