The Big Arrow

 

In case you didn't know it, our cars have a little arrow next to the gas pump icon on our dashboard to tell us which side of the car to pump our gas from.  This handy little arrow is helpful for all of you who pull into a gas station, in an unfamiliar car, and have to drive yourself around to the proper side.  This is also handy if you rent a car, borrow someone's car, or just plain can't remember how you gassed up the last time in your own car.

I mention this because it got me to thinking about God.  I don't suppose most people would make this connection, but you know me, I see an arrow pointing and it naturally makes me think about how nice it would be if we had a giant arrow directing us through life.  Go this way.  Turn around.  Wrong way.

If we did have an arrow, it would point us to God.  It would come in handy especially for those times when we forget which direction we should be going.  For those times we get off track, a nice big arrow might be kind of helpful.

Come to think of it, we do have a nice big arrow.  It's called a church, and it's possible that we drive right by one so often, we hardly even notice it.  That church on the corner IS pointing you in the direction you should be going.

There is the added benefit of it speaking to you.  That church is saying to you, "Stop in, you are welcome" or "Meet God here" or "We are saving you a seat!"  It is also saying, "Whatever caused you to stop coming, let's talk."  

You see, God loves you and forgives you, and it's just as likely that his Church needs to ask for your forgiveness as well.  Give it a chance to do so.  Follow the arrow that allows you to reconcile with God and his Church.  Don't reject God and his Church because of a particular person.  Don't disappear from our pews without letting us know how we have hurt or offended you. 

Come back.  The big arrow is directing you home, and we are ready and waiting to meet you.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.com