We often ask ourselves why we should listen to God? Why should we listen to his word and do what it says? Why should we wait until marriage to have sex or avoid drugs and alcohol abuse, for example? What is wrong with gay marriage anyway? Who says abortion is wrong? Why should we take anything God says seriously in today’s modern world? Shouldn’t we just live how we want to live, do what everyone else is doing? Who is to say what is right or wrong anyway? These are common beliefs and questions in our western world today. So why should we trust the Bible? Is it still valid today? Is God’s advice on how to live still worth listening to, or do we know better now?
Many cities have a traffic helicopter. It is usually a guy who flies around the city during rush hour traffic reporting on what is going on traffic-wise around the city. He or she often has a catchy name like Chopper Dave, and this “eye in the sky” warns us of traffic jams and stalls. Chopper Dave might say “Avoid the 308 today, because traffic is backed up for miles due to a jackknifed fourteen-wheeler that is blocking both lanes” for example. Chopper Dave has a view from above, and he is on the radio or TV reporting to us live what is going on that we usually cannot see from the ground until it is too late. He can see what is going on from his vantage point way before we can, even before it shows up on our maps app even. Should we listen to Chopper Dave and go a different way, or should we just take the 308 anyway. After all, who is Chopper Dave to tell us what to do?
Chopper Dave has the view from above. Unlike us, he can see the big picture. God is the same way. He has the view from above and sees the big picture. And instead of the radio or TV, God gave us his word to warn us of the traffic jams ahead. When God says be faithful to your wife or gives us some other life recommendation, he speaks from 10,000 or 20,000 feet in the air so to speak. He can see what is going to happen if you go down that road. He can see that it does not end well and recommends a different route. God’s entire word is written from 10,000 to 20,000 feet above the ground so to speak. And that is one of the reasons we should listen to his word and do what it says. Just like we listen to Chopper Dave and take his advice regarding which route to take to work to avoid a traffic snarl, we should listen to God and take his advice regarding how to live our lives. Especially if we want our life to go well.
What is God and his word saying to you these days? What promptings have you had from the Holy Spirit lately. Have you been warned of trouble ahead if you stay on your current course? Has he shown you a better way to live, a better path to follow perhaps? Or maybe you are being tempted to stray from the path you are on and take a route that leads to a blocked road that God’s word clearly warns about. As men, we should follow the course God lays out for us and we will avoid many of the traffic jams of life that can capture us. He has our best interest at heart, and has the eternal perspective needed to truly know the best way to go in all situations. If we will just listen to him and heed his advice, he will make our paths straight and we will live the best possible lives with the best eternal results. The choice is ours to make.
After the Israelites had entered the promised land, Joshua said “Choose you this day whom you will serve (or who you will follow), but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (we will follow God’s directions from above)”. Joshua 24:15
What choice are you facing today? Have you chosen God’s way or the world’s way? Have you chosen to follow what the Bible says or what you think is correct? Choose you this day who you will follow and serve. It is your choice.
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