“CONCENTRATE ON YOUR DRIVING – DISTRACTIONS CAUSE ACCIDENTS!”
Driving past this prominent roadside sign, I had to agree, since even familiar roads demand our full attention.
The sign came from an official road safety authority, but its flashing red and yellow lights were unfortunately turning into the very problem it was warning about.
Surely whoever designed it meant well, but maybe beforehand they could have spent less time at their desks looking into computer screens and experienced more time out on the roads, looking through windscreens.
But some warnings are less obvious, as I discovered one hot day in a park.
While nearing a busy path that was lined with shady trees and empty bench seats, I felt that everyone should see how they might enjoy relaxing in the shade.
I slid on to the nearest bench from behind. And slid a bit further, until I suddenly saw a small sign that read “WET PAINT!”
Warnings may guide us safely through our childhood years.
Then puberty arrives, complete with its launchpad for ideas or actions that reduce warnings to suggestions that only apply to other folks.
Thankfully, most of us outgrow this period of being all-knowing and invincible, but any resentments that linger can prompt us to interpret warnings as invitations to see what we might still get away with.
This attitude can also see faith or religion as an irrelevant catalogue of warnings or restrictions.
It is true that biblical prophets denounced personal crimes and national evils, but they were motivated by God’s love, and his invitation for people to trust him and step up from lifestyles that were wrecking them and their world.
The bible records all those warnings, but it also includes the phrase “fear not” 365 times – once for each day of the year.
Not to suggest that every four years we should take a one-day “leap” of faith; but to emphasise God’s love and his invitation to trust him instead of giving in to fear.
Jesus came to release God’s grace, so people with no religious status might break free to start again and begin changing their world as agents of this grace.
His only warnings were aimed at fearful religious authorities who kept abusing their power.
Not writing them off; but inviting them to relinquish the status they could never keep and embrace the freedom they could never lose.
Freedom that God still has on offer.
Noel Mitaxa
On behalf of a church near you, inviting you to explore God’s love
