This is the time of year when a lot of people take to the open highways for a road trip. As they are driving to their various vacation destinations they see a lot of different signs along the way. These signs are very helpful, and we ignore them at our own risk.

In a similar fashion, the Bible has many suggestions and warnings for us to heed. We can consider them God’s signs for us along life’s highway. Just as with the literal highway signs, we are putting ourselves in danger if we ignore the signs that God has given us. Let us compare some highway signs with messages we see in the Bible.

SPEED LIMIT—This means that you had better not be going too fast. Many drivers suffer from “lead foot syndrome”, and they risk causing an accident or incurring a fine for a speeding violation. The Bible often cautions us to slow down. Life can become too fast-paced. Therefore, we need to learn to say “No” to certain things and slow down. Jesus says in Matt.11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

STOP—Some people think this means to slow down, but it means what it says. Sometimes we need to come to a complete stop. We read in Psalm 46:10, “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Periodically we need to cease from all activity and meditate on the greatness of God.

WRONG WAY—Ignoring this road sign could get you into a lot of trouble! So could going in the wrong way in your spiritual life. One of the Bible’s most often repeated commands is to repent. The very first word Jesus utters in Matthew’s gospel after he begins to preach is the word “repent”— “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matt.4:17).

BUMP AHEAD—Even if we are going in the right direction, we are going to hit an occasional bump in the road. Those who think that the Christian life is easy are going to be in for a rude awakening one day. In John 16:33, Jesus gives us a blunt warning about this, immediately followed by a word of encouragement— “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

YIELD—The yield sign reminds us that there are other people on the road, and we had better give them their space. There is a temptation to forget that there are other people in the church who deserve our consideration. Phil.2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

DETOUR—Occasionally an accident or some construction work will force us to take a detour. This can be an annoying, but necessary, delay. Sometimes we hit a detour on our spiritual journey. Things don’t always work out the way we planned. However, if we are living within God’s will, we must trust that the Lord has a reason for the delay. Prov.16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

ONE WAY—On some streets, traffic only moves in one direction. The only way to safely go through this life is through Jesus. He claims to be the only way to get to God (John 14:6). Of all the signs God gives us, this one above all is to be heeded. Trust Jesus alone for your salvation!

Safe travels, my friends!