Signposts

Perhaps you saw the story in the news this past week that the DC metropolitan area has the worst traffic in the nation. I don't know that this news caught any of us by surprise. We have all sat in those rush hour jams on the beltway, or come to a surprising stop on Braddock, Rolling, Old Keene Mill or any of great number of familiar thoroughfares in this area. I was told when I came here that traffic is the great equalizer, except of course for the slugs who travel the HOV lanes each morning and afternoon. Even they, on occasion face backups in their "preferred" lanes of travel. If you travel this region at all, however, your life...your progress will be slowed, perhaps brought to a standstill by the crush of cars crowding our roadways. Of course, traffic also provides a ready excuse when you are late, for everyone who waits for your arrival has been there and done that! When "traffic" explains your tardiness, people usually shake their heads in silent recognition as fellow pilgrims who have walked, or ridden, or perhaps better, sat in the same place you have.

One of the supposed benefits of the GPS system we bought a few years ago is that it gives an alternate route if traffic is backed up where you are. Of course, in this area, that usually just means an alternate traffic jam that you can join along with all the other folks who follow their GPS' to the same spot. I suppose we are all at times looking for the best route to travel. Sometimes the motivation in our search is time, while at other times it may be scenery, the particular type of road to be traveled, or a route that allows us a stopover at a place of particular interest.

Signs have always been helpful on such journeys, pointing the way, guiding the traveler to the destination desired.

The Psalmist tells us, "The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy." (Psalm 19:7-8, The Message) There are moments of great acceleration and steady movement as we travel the roads of life. There are also bumps, detours, deep potholes, and stagnant jams. The signposts of God give us clear direction and the promise of a fellow traveler who will be with us every mile of the way...when they fly by and when they drag.

During the month of October I will be preaching a series of messages on the theme, Signposts of Stewardship. These messages will focus our attention on five themes of stewardship that give guidance as we think about how we will honor the living God as stewards of the blessings God has given each of us. My prayer is that we will find guidance for the journey, hearing once more the call of God to faithful, Christ-like stewardship.

Well, I must draw this to a close. Cindy and I are heading out into the traffic in just a few minutes. You might look for us...in recognition of our areas newfound recognition, we will be the ones with arms waving madly out the car window, shouting as we go, "We're Number One! We're Number One!"

Jim Abernathy