Are You Following God’s Road Map
By Carolyn Dale Newell
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
What was this in front of us? Not an uncommon question for a blind person, but the sidewalk appeared to end and stepping stones led the way into darkness. I never passed this on the way down. I checked my location using my iPhone, and Siri informed me that I was still on Parkway. I sought for someone to help me figure out exactly where I was, but the crowds had thinned out.
I retraced my steps until I found a helpful couple who assured me I was on Parkway, and they flagged down a police officer.
He informed me that the sidewalk ended and the stepping stones led into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
No, I didn’t! Yes, I had walked by every destination, including my hotel. All those times Iva paused, she was trying to say, “Stop here Mom.”
I didn’t follow my guide dog’s cues. Obstacles preoccupied my thoughts. Like the one blocking the sidewalk on our way to the candy store. It was impassable without the assistance of a kind pedestrian. He had even accompanied us to the store since it was on his route.
Another passerby helped us locate a trashcan and bid us a blessed day. Afterward, I was elated about the ways God was watching over us. Maybe a bit over-confident.
I enjoyed the breeze as Iva sped up the sidewalk. Each time she stopped, I checked for a barrier. No obstruction, so we continued on. Right past our usual stops and hotel. Right to the national forest.
But that’s what we do in life. Obstacles clutter our minds. We get caught up in our journey, and we fail to acknowledge God’s signals. The same way I neglected Iva’s cues.
God says, “Stop! Tell this person about Jesus. Share the gospel.”
We keep moving forward. Then another time, He tells us to stop. This person needs to hear the gospel. Then another time, God encourages us to share the love of Jesus with someone.
We keep going until we are abruptly stopped. The end of my walk was at the city limits of Gatlinburg. God’s roadblock can be something serious enough to get our attention.
When God saved us, He could have carried us into heaven immediately. He left us here for one purpose. The Great Commission: to spread the gospel. That is the duty of every Christian. Not just preachers, evangelists, speakers, and writers. No, that job is to be filled by each Christian.
Are you traveling merrily through life like Iva and I did in Gatlinburg, or are you stopping to share Jesus with those you meet on your way?
Copyright 2018 Carolyn Dale Newell.
Originally posted on August 5, 2020 @ 8:07 pm