Traffic Light

Traffic Light
Posted on Apr 30, 2017 in Devotions
By:  Elder Mike Agreen

We’ve all been there. That busy intersection you go through five or more times a week. You may think about it as you prepare to leave the house, or as your trip approached the dreaded light, hoping you’ll catch it at just the right time so as not to have to wait too long. The anxiety of this event is even greater if you are running late. Catch the light right, and make up some time. Catch the light wrong and it’s time to start thinking up an excuse for the boss. As you approach this light still at a distance, you see it is green in your favor. Your heart begins to race as your foot presses harder and harder on the gas! Just as it looks like you’re going to make it, horror of all horrors, the light begins to cycle to red. Your delay could not possibly be any longer as you coast up to a red light.
 
The funny thing is, unless you now have to begin figuring out what you are going to tell the boss, once you get through the intersection, not another moment of thought is given that traffic light until the next time you meet. I don’t know about you, but my mind sometimes drifts off and I find myself about the strangest of things. Once day I found myself thinking about my arch nemesis traffic light long after I had long since successfully negotiated my way through the intersection of which it keeps watch.
 
I’m sure that you would all agree, that it, like me, you thought about your favorite traffic light, you would believe, with great certainly and never doubt, that even though you were not there to witness the actions unfold, this guard continues to keep faithful watch over that intersection, day in and day out, hour by hour, minute by minute, both day and night, while you wake and while you sleep. With almost 100% dependability and without error or complaint. The next time you need this traffic light, it will be there to get you through that intersection safely and on your way. Never asking for recognition or thanks and never holding a grudge no matter what you say or think as you drive by.

 Our most Loving Father, day in and day out, hour by hour, minute by minute, both day and night, while we wake and while we sleep with the only 100% dependability you will ever find
 
How often and how easy can our relationship with God become just like this. Of course, we expect to see Him on Sunday at Worship. We call out to Him in our hour of need. If God is having a good day, He may actually hear from us just before a meal. And yet, He is our Lord and Savior, our most Loving Father, day in and day out, hour by hour, minute by minute, both day and night, while we wake and while we sleep with the only 100% dependability you will ever find or get anywhere without error, sin or complaint. Whenever you need Him, He is already there to get you through whatever is challenging you and He knows just what to do, and what you need before you ask. Now, He does ask for, and is most deserving of recognition, thanks and praise, but never holds a grudge when this does not come His way as we go on living our lives, sometimes as if to think we are alone, and He’s somewhere else doing who knows what.
 
The truth is that in that same part of my mind where I know that the traffic light is still going green yellow, red, green, yellow, red, lives another thought not often brought to mind, that I am all too equally certain of and have absolutely no doubt. God is with me all the time even if I do not consciously recognize His presence. He sees me at my best and at my worst, and yet still loves me completely, even when my mind is on traffic lights and not Him.
 
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.  – Deuteronomy 31:6