Observing the traffic Lights

While driving into Leicester recently I saw something that amazed me.  As the A6 enters the urban area it reaches a point in Oadby where three side roads intersect at different points of the A6.  Traffic is managed through this section with a series of traffic lights at three points along the main road.  As I approached the first set of lights it changed from green to amber.  Traffic slowed down.  The lights turned red and we all stopped, apart from a while car at the front which was driven slowly past the red light.  The lights at the junctions further up the road were still green at that stage, so it is possible that the driver carelessly failed to realise that it should have stopped.

The car continued at an unhurried pace towards the next set of lights which had already turned to red.  To my amazement, it continued steadily ahead towards the next red light and passed through those as well. Fortunately, traffic from the side roads have a short wait before they get a green light, so the white car made its unhurried way without a collision.  To drive through three separate sets of red lights over a significant distance is extraordinary.  It was clearly not ‘jumping the lights’ it seemed that the driver was just not recognising them.  I wondered if the driver was drunk.  What might make him or her so careless?

As the lights turned to green and I made my own way along the road, I found myself reflecting on how I have responded to signals that God has set in my way.  The Bible illustrates how various people have responded to a green or a red light.  For example, Balaam the prophet was intent on ‘driving through red lights’.  In Numbers 22:19 we find Balaam apparently checking to see if God had changed his mind, though God had clearly set a red light in front of him.  Was he tempted by the bribe he was offered.  As he travelled on, even the donkey could see the red lights, which Balaam failed to see (Numbers 22:21-31).

In Genesis 4:7 God warns Cain of the need to put the brakes on his emotions or sin would get the better of him.  He chose to drive through the red light and killed his brother.

The story of Jonah is about a man who ignored a green light and chose instead to drive through a red light.  He learned his lesson the hard way and got back on the right road.

In 1Kings 13 we read the account of a prophet who was persuaded to drive through a red light and suffered terrible consequences.

The Acts of the Apostles also gives examples of God’s guidance.  Philip obediently left Samaria and went back to Jerusalem where he led an Ethiopian official to an experience of salvation.  Paul and Barnabas obeyed the call to take the gospel into what we now call Turkey.  On the second missionary journey, Paul and Silas are confronted by several red lights that stop them from proceeding in the wrong directions, before getting the green light to proceed into Europe (see Acts 16:6-10).

Clearly, when God puts a red light in our way, that is every bit as important as when he puts a green light in our way.  I must admit that, literally, I have sometimes stopped at a green light and gone through a red light unintentionally, when driving my car.  Many years ago, I had a spiritual experience just like that.

While working within a mission organisation I became convinced that God was calling me to become the pastor of a church in Kent.  I travelled to meet with the minister of the church and told him my story.  He was delighted.  Unknown to me, he had just informed the church that he was retiring.  My ministry was known to this church and he was confident that the church members would be keen for me to take on this ministry.  I was excited.  It seemed so clearly to be a green light. 

On returning to the mission headquarters I informed the director of the mission that I would be leaving to take up this pastorate.  He was very unhappy and asked me to take 24 hours to pray more about it.  I agreed, confident of my guidance.  Behind my back, the director telephoned the minister of the church, and with tears pleaded with him not to take me from the mission.  Later the following day, I phoned the minister to confirm my availability, only to discover that another name had been put forward and their system required that he was considered ahead of me.  He was duly called and served the church well.

I then spent several months of unhappiness?  I had allowed myself to be persuaded to ignore a green light. I told God how sorry I was, and determined to try to be more sensitive to his guidance in future and act obediently.  God is good, and the road since travelled has brought many blessing into my life.  But it was a salutary lesson.

I will never know what made the driver of that white car systematically drive through red lights, but I hope that you have developed a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and take care to recognise and respect the traffic light God puts along your way.  Welcome the red lights as much as the green.  They are there for your benefit and that of others.

From the Diary

Sundays through March have been fully booked.  I have been blessed by the churches I have served and am grateful for the testimonies of blessing.  I have also been taking school assemblies each Monday, and continue with this to the end of term.  Other recent events relate to my work teaching on safeguarding issues.  I constructed and delivered two talks for the East Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation.  One of these was focused on the safe use of the Internet by children.  I also provided a day’s teaching for the Salvation Army at the Cliff College Conference Centre.  Praise God for safe travelling and God’s gracious blessing on all the activities of recent weeks.

·       Friday 31^st March – 10.30 CF Area Committee Meeting in Narborough, Leics.  (several important tasks to be addressed).  In the afternoon, I will travel to Nottingham where I am engaging with students on the educational/training programmes run by the Congregational Federation.  Mt role is as a member of the Pastoral Care Board.  Some of those present will be on a vocational pathway and I am there to give support and guidance when needed.

·       Saturday 1^st April – Sunday 2^nd April – Nottingham for the students’ weekend.

·       Sunday 2^nd 6.00pm – Newton URC (near Rugby)

·       Monday 3^rd April – lunchtime school assembly; evening planning meeting for Harborough Holiday at Home outreach.

·       Tuesday 4^th April – HMP Gartree

·       Friday/Saturday 7^th/8^th April – attending the Village Hope Conference.  VH is a partner organisation in rural evangelism.

·       Palm Sunday 9^th April – Welby Lane Mission, Melton Mowbray.

Personal News – Doreen has just had a first operation to remove a cataract from her right eye, and is progressing well.  She is also starting a physio course to help her balance and walking.  I have recently completed an eight-year experimental trial aimed at preventing oesophageal cancer. I appear to be very fit and delighted to be taking less medication.

Thank you for your fellowship and prayers.

Barry