Stop Light
Probably you have been at a train crossing when you have had to wait for the crossing arm and signal to let you go. Usually this is no big thing and a moment to relax amid the busy activity of life. The other day, however, I was returning from the Martinez Warf and was stopped by the crossing arm and signal. I wasn’t in any particular hurry, although I am always Rushing (Sorry), but this particular day, there was no train. I looked to the west and the east in each direction of the oncoming tracts, to no avail. Why was my progress stopped? Why was this crossing arm down. Why was the signal blinking? I had no clue. A lot of thought traveled down the track of my mind. Should I go around the crossing arm, and go merrily on my way? Should I just sit here? How long should I wait? Still no train. Still no reason for the blockade. I have been told there is a law against holding up traffic for more than ten minutes. How true this is, I may never know. But I do know this, I am dead in the water. No turning back, and no moving forward. As I sat by the train curiously wondering what would be the outcome, the bridge opened before me, and I was allowed to begin again my forward motion. I then began to ponder, ‘Why was I stopped in the first place? Was there a glitch in the electric switch? Was there human error involved? What exactly happened?’ Well, I will never know! I was stopped at a signal with no apparent evidence of purpose or reason. I was let go with no indication that anything had changed. All I have was a memory of the ding, ding, ding, resounding in my memory. I thought, ‘what was that all about?’
If you will allow me just another moment of your time, I will try and apply this random experience with a little spiritual observation. The truth of the matter is, we do not always know why things in our lives are happening the way they are. At times, there is no human explanation! We may search, but the answer alludes our grasp. Actually, if we are carefully observant, there have been bumps in the road of life many, many times through the years. As we look back across life’s journey, we at times have been given insight to past bumps in the road, but often, we will not know until glory. Actually, I believe one of the joys of heaven is going to be the explanation of God’s providence as we walked down the path of life. Times of singing will bring back deeper joy, and times of sorry and difficulty will be explained. Until then, we are trusting in the unseen, all-wise providence of God! The truth is, not one hair of our head can fall without our heavenly Father’s permission. He gives his angels charge over us, carrying out His eternal plan. He causes ALL things to work after the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). The great challenge for us is to trust our Heavenly Father when we do not understand. Especially when our hearts are breaking! Walking by faith is not always easy. We do have the comfort of His Word and promises, but sometimes circumstances fall out to bring great perplexity. If we are willing to seek Him, we may be on the verge of one of the greatest opportunities for advance that we have ever known! As we turn our hearts to our kind and merciful Father, He will give us grace. We may have to pass through fire or storm, but our safe harbor is assured. Ultimately, our safe harbor is heaven, for we are passing through a wilderness now, BUT the closer we find ourselves to our Heavenly Father, He is able to bring heaven down to us now! I know it is a hard lesson to learn, but God is our peace and joy. If you seek peace in things of the world, you will be disappointed. Earthly blessings, though given to us as a blessing from our Father, will not satisfy. When trials come, we learn how shallow the things of the world are. Our grips are loosened from the earthly glitter. Trials also help us to see the glory of holiness. There is something in suffering that makes believers desire to be holy. In suffering, priorities are tested by fire, and our love for God deepens as we seek His peace and strength. We begin to understand that the world is much better in show than in reality. There is only one true happiness, and that is found in fellowship with our great and holy heavenly Father. Discipline is His strange work, and He only does it if absolutely necessary. He cares for broken hearts. If you don’t understand, lean on Him, He is a bridge over troubled water!