One of my favorite stories is of my friend who was out visiting church members. He was in his brand new 4-wheel drive truck. He turned on a familiar road and was met with a sign that read “Road Closed-Bridge Out.” He thought about it a minute and then ignored the sign, figuring in his big truck he would be able to get through whatever the problem was. When he came to where the bridge was out he discovered that the bank was too steep, the water was too deep, and the river was too wide. He had to turn around and go back. When he got back to where the sign was, he noticed that someone had written in big, bold letters, “Welcome back, Stupid.” In our desire to be in charge, we end up ignoring the advice of God and others in life and wind up doing the stupidest thing and making crazy messes. God knows that it isn’t easy for some of us to surrender our pride, to give up the crown, to admit our need for help, but if we will let Him, He will show us the way to a good and beautiful and satisfying life. All we have to do is to do what sheep do, follow the voice of the shepherd. Or as the Bible says in Proverbs 3:3-5, “Trust in the lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct and guide your path.” Remember, the wisdom of God will always point you in the right direction.
– Dr. Tim Thompson