The Strangest Thing

Yesterday the strangest thing happened.  I was driving east on Randolph which is a street in the town where I live. It is a two lane road with grass on either side of the road.  I noticed that the cars in front of me were slowing down and coming to a stop.  I couldn't figure out what was going on until I saw the strangest thing. There was a car heading west but it was not in the west bound lane.  This car was on the grass on the south side of the road.  The person driving this car looked like a wild man and was driving at a very fast speed.  

I was shocked as the car sped by me on the side of the road, still on the wrong side of the road.  I knew that if it came back onto the road that someone would be hurt.  I was in a line of about ten cars that just sat there for several minutes and we were probably all wondering what to do.  I looked in my rear view mirror and could see the dust flying as the car was still going the wrong way.

I could see in the mirror that a red pickup had pulled off the road.  I am not sure if that car clipped him or if he just pulled off to call the police.  I was reaching to pick up my phone when I saw flashing lights and heard sirens.  I wondered what on earth was wrong with that person.  Was he drunk or high on drugs?  How on earth did he get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road?

It made me realize that sometimes I get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road. It's not because I am drunk or high.  It's not because I am a wild person. (Well not too often)

It is because I have gotten off course.  I have forgotten which direction I should be headed.  

It is not sirens and flashing lights that direct me back to the right side of this road.  It is the prick of a still small voice telling me that I am headed the wrong way. It keeps me from getting hurt.  It reminds of the way, the truth and the light and of what Christ has done for me.  Did you know that Christ did the strangest thing? He left the comfort of heaven to be born a baby in a stable and to die on the cross.  He died and rose again for me and for you! 

If you are headed down the wrong side on the road, He is waiting with all the right directions!

Luke 2:10-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher ofour faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How many have you stoned?

John 8:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
  

I was traveling to Woodward last Friday and then again on Saturday.  I drove through the area of the Quartz Mountains on the way and back both days.  I was thinking that one of these days that I need to stop and explore.  I noticed all the stones around the area and thought that some of the area might be rough going but that the view was very beautiful.

My mind always wonders away from the subject and I quickly forgot my plans to someday explore the area as I thought of the stone that Jesus could have thrown at the adulterous woman.  His reply said it all.  You without sin be the first to throw the stone at her.  The accusers quietly left.

My thought was that I could never throw a stone at others but a thought immdiately entered my mind that I have hurled many stones.  My thoughts and actions at times might as well have been real stones.

I have thrown stones of unkindness, pride, indifference, unfriendliness, strife, selfishness and apathy.  The stones that I have thrown may have struck a heart with as much or more damage than if I had thrown a real stone.

I have to realize that it is only because of Jesus that I am a sinner saved by grace.  Without Him I am nothing!!  When I feel my stones ready to be hurled I have to remember what He has done.  Jesus led the way!  I have to follow and drop all stones!

John 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.