| Welcome to the First Baptist Church of Norwich 239 West Main Street Norwich, Connecticut Phone: 860-889-0369 |
Cal's Pastoral Epistles
The Blessing Of A Road Block
January 4, 2007
I have to admit that I was angry the first time I saw him. Who did he
think he was? I was in a hurry to get my daughter to school and he was
in the middle of the road stopping traffic. He pointed everyone in another
direction and expected us to play follow the leader down a detour that
actually led away from the intended destination. Thankfully I know the city
and managed to work my way back up the hill to the school.
The next day I did the exact same thing and was confronted by him again
on his perch on East Town Street. Once again I was led down the same
rabbit hole that wound its way down Washington Street and dumped me
out at the base of Harland Road. By the third day I should have know
better but old habits are hard to break. So I met up with my nemesis for a
third time and he was just as adamant as he was on the first day. Go
around, he motioned to me. That's exactly what I did but I got the last
laugh. This time I actually was making the turn even before he saw me. I
wasn't going to let anyone tell me what to do. I planned on going the long
way all along.
The truth is that this man was only doing his job. The road was under
construction and if I had plunged ahead and not heeded his warning, I
would have found myself in a hole ten feet deep. He was there to protect
me and other drivers who happened along. He wasn't an adversary trying
to disrupt my day. His job was to stand in the gap and protect us from
potential disaster.
Every once in a while something comes up that makes us stop and think
about what we are doing. So much of our daily activity is entwined with
habit and unconscious behaviors. We do things automatically. Because of
this, I think sometimes God sends little pixies our way to wake us up. He
sends someone or something our way to slow us down or to get us to
change our direction. Whether it is a flag man in the road, a bout with
indigestion during the night, a speeding ticket or pesky bout with cold or
flu, these moments allow us to stop and think about the direction our lives
are taking. Sometimes they come as warnings. Other times they come as a
reminder that we are not alone. God is with us.
What is God saying to you these days? Is there a friendly flag man
pointing you in a different direction? Has something in your life become a
thorn that needs to be plucked out and thrown away? Then take a few
moments and be still in the presence of God and listen to what He is saying
to you. Oh yeah, By the way the flag man is still there on East Town
Street. Now when I go by him I always wave. He has become my friend
because I know he is there for my own good.
God bless! See you in church. Cal
January 4, 2007
I have to admit that I was angry the first time I saw him. Who did he
think he was? I was in a hurry to get my daughter to school and he was
in the middle of the road stopping traffic. He pointed everyone in another
direction and expected us to play follow the leader down a detour that
actually led away from the intended destination. Thankfully I know the city
and managed to work my way back up the hill to the school.
The next day I did the exact same thing and was confronted by him again
on his perch on East Town Street. Once again I was led down the same
rabbit hole that wound its way down Washington Street and dumped me
out at the base of Harland Road. By the third day I should have know
better but old habits are hard to break. So I met up with my nemesis for a
third time and he was just as adamant as he was on the first day. Go
around, he motioned to me. That's exactly what I did but I got the last
laugh. This time I actually was making the turn even before he saw me. I
wasn't going to let anyone tell me what to do. I planned on going the long
way all along.
The truth is that this man was only doing his job. The road was under
construction and if I had plunged ahead and not heeded his warning, I
would have found myself in a hole ten feet deep. He was there to protect
me and other drivers who happened along. He wasn't an adversary trying
to disrupt my day. His job was to stand in the gap and protect us from
potential disaster.
Every once in a while something comes up that makes us stop and think
about what we are doing. So much of our daily activity is entwined with
habit and unconscious behaviors. We do things automatically. Because of
this, I think sometimes God sends little pixies our way to wake us up. He
sends someone or something our way to slow us down or to get us to
change our direction. Whether it is a flag man in the road, a bout with
indigestion during the night, a speeding ticket or pesky bout with cold or
flu, these moments allow us to stop and think about the direction our lives
are taking. Sometimes they come as warnings. Other times they come as a
reminder that we are not alone. God is with us.
What is God saying to you these days? Is there a friendly flag man
pointing you in a different direction? Has something in your life become a
thorn that needs to be plucked out and thrown away? Then take a few
moments and be still in the presence of God and listen to what He is saying
to you. Oh yeah, By the way the flag man is still there on East Town
Street. Now when I go by him I always wave. He has become my friend
because I know he is there for my own good.
God bless! See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |