Stop, Look & Listen

Lots of the younger folks have been robbed of the sound of train whistles and railroad crossings. Many of the smaller towns were missed by the railroads, while other routes of the tracks were removed in the latter part of the last century due to lack of profits. "Stop, Look & Listen" became the key phrase around railroads. It was a motto of safety on how to cross railroad tracks. 

"Stop, Look & Listen" is also good advice on our spiritual journey.  In an age where we want to dictate the direction we should go, God may be calling us in another direction. The late preacher Charles Spurgeon related the story of his life without God, until he found himself bitter about being in a church on a Sunday morning. He says he was so bitter toward God he couldn't even look upward, in the direction he assumed God to be. The preacher that day used the following text  in his message:

Isaiah 45:22

²² “Turn to me and be saved,
   all you ends of the earth;
   for I am God, and there is no other.

Have you ever been so far away from God that you felt inadequate to "look toward him?"  Can you relate to that moment when you "turned" to him for salvation?  Have you ever written down your feelings about your conversion experience?

The gospel is for all.  ALL the ends of the earth.  I cannot impress on you the important roll we each play in ministering spiritual matters to all.  You can read the charge of Jesus himself in the great commission. Every human life is beautiful to God. They all need the cleansing that Jesus' blood supplies. Accept that as your responsibility. 

The final line of the verse above points us to God, and God only. "There is no other."  It's time for those of us who believe that, to live it and share it in our community and around the world. All it takes is for us to realize our spiritual direction is a simple "Stop Look & Listen."