Take the Next Right: Know Before You Go

God puts tremendous value on our relationships. Other than accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord, the most important decisions we make will center around those around us. Who is going to be a part of our lives? How will we love them? And how will we serve them? I believe that’s why the Bible contains so many principles about getting along with one another. And yet, even when we follow these principles with our hearts, there are going to be some relationships that are just not going to work. And that’s where today’s road sign comes into play.

Hello everyone and welcome back to Take the Next Right, the series that is literally taking the Scriptures to the streets and streets to the Scripture, to the highways and the byways, all to see how God can strengthen our walk by using everyday road signs to guide our daily spiritual walk.

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So, what could be the road sign instruction after all our attempts to make peace with others have failed? What about this? Are you ready? It’s “No Through Traffic.” Bet you didn’t see that one coming, but think about it. Most often, this sign is used to prevent cut-through traffic from major arteries from taking shortcuts through a residential neighborhood designed to carry local traffic only.

When you see a No Through Traffic sign on a street, what do you do? I’ll tell you what you probably don’t do. You don’t just plow through, do you? Even if you can’t see a reason not to. Does that sound too simplistic?

Let’s think of this in terms of relationships. Many times, we do exactly what I’m talking about. We plow through where we have no business going. Maybe we refuse to accept that a person needs time to get to the point of being able to forgive or to be reconciled. We need the No Through Traffic sign to remind us to allow every person to make their own choice when they are ready to make it. But if we can’t plow through, then what can we do? I propose that there is always something we can do. It just may not be what we had in mind.

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4 that we are to be truthful, we are to be gentle, and we are to forgive. So, no matter what the other person does, we can be truthful, gentle, and forgive.

Remember, if you’re going to make a difference, we must first be different. We can be different by choosing to forgive no matter what the other person does. Even when that person posts a No Through Traffic sign. According to Matthew 7:12, which is sometimes called the Golden Rule, we need to treat the other person the same as we want to be treated. We don’t yell, “How dare you? You know I’m trying to forgive.” We don’t say, “Don’t you hear me? I’m saying, I’m sorry. Now I need you to say I’m sorry back.”

No, it’s like the story of the little boy who got into trouble. He’s going up the steps to his house and he sees his mom and instantly reroutes. Of course, she calls to him, “Where are you going, young man?” He answers, “I’m going to talk to God because I know He’s going to forgive me a whole lot faster than you are.”

Forgiveness is complex. It’s hard to fully comprehend. It can be hard to give and receive. I love this quote, “Anyone can hold a grudge, but it takes a person of real character to truly forgive.”

Troubles in relationships need time so it’s okay to obey the No Through Traffic sign and simply step back. We can stay humble and honest with that person. “I’m so sorry. I wish this had never happened. Please forgive me.” That’s what we can do.

Well friends, thank you so much for joining me as we continue to look at how God can use everyday road signs to guide our daily spiritual lives. Remember, we can stay hopeful of reconciliation, but we can’t force it on anyone. But also remember this, when someone holds up the sign that says “No Through Traffic,” we have to accept it. We also need to understand that at that point, we are free to move on and do what God has called us to do. Thank you for joining me and I look forward to seeing you next time right here on Strengthen Your Walk.

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