April 27, 2021: Follow the Signs
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Every morning, I run two miles in my neighborhood. I take this opportunity to speak and listen to God. One morning, He spoke to me through the street signs I passed while jogging. Below are some of the points He shared with me that day:
Speed Limit 30 MPH—We live in a society that is driven by immediate urgency. We expect God to have that same sense of urgency. We need to slow down and be patient. He’s already told us that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, so obviously His timing is not our timing. Instead of trying to rush God and get our problems solved as soon as possible, let’s learn to be patient through the tough times.
One Way—Some of us are in charge at home, are bosses at work and leaders in our local church. Sometimes we think that we can have that superior role in our relationship with God. Well, that is not how it works. There is only “One Way” that our relationship can work effortlessly. That way is for us to acknowledge and be aware that God is in complete control. We have to move out of the driver’s seat and allow Jesus to take the wheel.
Caution: Speed Bump Ahead—There will be times where our journey will seem bumpy, and we may want to give up. When we are faced with challenges, we must remember what Jesus says in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Thank You, Father, that You are in control. Amen.
Tyson Bell is a member of the Ephesus church in Ohio.
Join the Year of the Bible Journey
To help you dig deeper into God’s Holy Word this year, we’re offering:
- Every Day—Read our Words of Life daily devotional book that features favorite Bible verses from members, pastors, students and leaders from across the Columbia Union. You can also read the devotionals on the Columbia Union app, and interact with the verses in our instagram stories.
- Every Week—Delivered straight to your email, read our e-newsletter by subscribing to Visitor News Bulletin at columbiaunionvisitor.com/vnb. Keep up with the latest Year of the Bible events, devotionals, videos and more.
- Every Month—This calendar, themed “Words of Life,” coincides with the devotional book and videos. It features a biblical topic and verse each month, with additional passages for further exploration, study and ideas on how to apply the concepts in your daily life.