Warning Signs

How many of us bother to read the warning signs we encounter every day?  This one is on the lid of my washing machine.  

Do I really need to be warned not to let my children play IN my washing machine??!!  Apparently so, according to the lawyers for Amana.


Then there are warning signs that ARE necessary:

Too often we don't think through the consequences of our actions or we fool ourselves into thinking the possible consequence could never happen to US.  We need to be given a warning, and if we're prudent, we'll heed it.  


God gives us warnings all the time that we pay no attention to.  The Bible is full of them.  But He also gives us plenty of caution signs in our daily lives if we just pay attention.  There are physical changes in our bodies that are meant to encourage us to seek medical attention.  Our automobiles have several warning lights to indicate the car's inner workings need attention.  Changes in atmospheric pressure warn us of impending storms.  The list goes on and on.  But the spiritual warnings we receive may be the most subtle to us because we are so ensconced  in this material world. 


God is giving us direction all the time to keep us on the path He has prepared for us.  When we miss too many signs along the way and are in danger of getting totally lost He has to provide wake-up calls for us.  Alan Cohen in his book "Deep Breath of Life" refers to these wake-up calls as "In-Your-Face Productions".  Because we are asleep to what is happening in and around us we'll eventually find ourselves in some sort of crises--health, financial, or relationship.  Cohen says we can minimize or avoid these "productions"  by first developing our intuition so that we can see the lessons being provided in their early stages.  And second, if we find ourselves in the midst of a wake-up call to receive it as a gift meant for our good--not to hurt us but to free us.


This warning sign was on a piece of sound equipment.  It says it all:

God created us.  He wrote the instruction manual.  We should not assume anything!  Instead, we should look to Him for guidance and pay attention when He corrects our course.  And most of all, when we make a misstep (and we will), allow the mistake or sin, or whatever caused it, to teach  us something about our need to listen to His "gentle whisper" so that we can move forward better for it.


Father, may I not be so distracted with life that I do not hear You and heed your whisperings to me.


Link to scripture:  1 Kings 19:11-13