Do you know the meaning of all the street signs that greet us in every town and city? There are so many signs—STOP signs, YIELD signs, SCHOOL CROSSING signs, ONE WAY signs—to name a few. Signs are helpful, but there is one that is often rather unwelcome. It seems to show up when you realize you are on the wrong road and want to turn around. And there in front of you is the sign that says, “NO U-TURN.” Unwelcome as it often is, that sign is there for a very good reason.
Once we were driving on a wet and slippery street. We came over a hill, and the driver ahead of us, with no warning, decided to make a U-turn right where the sign said, “NO U-TURN”! In spite of braking hard, we could not stop in time, and our car slid right into the side of his car, causing a lot of damage to both cars. He made a costly mistake and caused a lot of trouble, because he disobeyed that sign.
Although we have driven for many years, we have never yet seen a sign that says, “U-TURN HERE.” But I am glad to be able to tell you that on the road of life, God has no unwelcome signs that say, “NO U-TURN.” In fact, His signs, if we could see them, would be just the opposite. Everywhere we would see signs that say, “U-TURN HERE.” When John the Baptist preached long ago, saying, “Repent,” it was as though he were saying to his listeners, “Make a U-TURN HERE.” All who are on the wrong road, whether young, middle aged or older, repent of your sins—be very sorry about them and make a U-TURN HERE!
When you realize you are driving on the wrong road, obey the STOP sign, make a U-TURN and then find someone to guide you. Some years ago when we were completely lost in a maze of streets in a large city, a kind man saw us, and knowing the way out, he said, “Follow me.” He then got into his car, drove ahead of us, and led us around until we saw the main highway and happily went our way on the right road. The Lord Jesus, like John, came telling the people to “Repent,” but He not only gave the command, He knew the way to heaven, so He said, “Follow Me” (Mark 2:1414And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:14)). He is the only one who could say, “I am the light of the world: he that [follows] Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:1212Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)).
As you read this, think of the street signs and stop and consider if you might be on the wrong road. Then wherever you are, make a U-turn and call on Jesus, “for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)).
ML-09/21/2008