Have you ever missed your exit when you're driving down the highway? Do you remember that gut feeling of "oh no" and the little scare that it gives you right as you pass the sign for the exit and realize that you have a pretty long way until you can turn around again and go back? For me, it's almost the same as the feeling you get when your stomach drops during the first dip of a roller coaster ride. The Lord had put it on my heart to share that you might just miss your last exit, sooner than you think.
What does that mean Ash? Well, the other day I was driving on my lunch break. I had gone to a side of town that I normally avoid due to congestion but it was closer to my office so my incentive was a quick trip. I was headed back on 79 and only needed to go one exit. My mind was on autopilot and the next thing I know, I get that stomach drop feeling as I pass the exit that I need and realize that I have a good ten minute drive until I can take the next exit to head back in the right direction. The Lord is trying very hard to get you to take your exit. Before you miss your last chance to turn yourself around.
Like that highway, life is a forward path. There are times when it can be congested and people overwhelm you, there are times where it seems like you're traveling that road alone with no one else for miles. You're always moving forward, never in reverse. The different life choices you have are like different exits along the way. I'm sure many of you have heard the phrase "Highway to Hell" especially since there is a song written about it. Not all of you are on it, but I'd feel safe to say that more are than realize it. I've often wondered why it was a "Stairway to Heaven" vs the "Highway to Hell". My guess is that it takes more of an effort to climb that many stairs than it does to sit in the car doing 100 down the freeway. It takes effort to obtain anything worth having, especially eternal salvation.
If you have ever mapped out a trip you can understand that there are multiple paths that you can take that will get you to the same destination. Some roads you take will get you there faster than others. Some roads require you to pay your toll to use them. Sometimes you can take shortcuts, other times there are detours and you have to go the long way around. The Lord put it on my heart that all of our lives are similar to these examples. We all have a final destination to get to. Some of us try shortcuts in life. Some of us have missed multiple exits, constantly hearing "recalculating" over and over in our minds as we try to figure out where we are even headed. Sometimes we think we can take a certain road, only to realize after we have gone down that path that it was a dead end; then we kick ourselves the whole way back to the main road for not seeing the signs that we should have noticed in the first place. Sometimes it takes us a lot longer to get to our destination than we thought it would. Rarely though, does our final destination change based on missing one or two exits or taking a wrong turn along the way. That is, unless the Highway disappears, just like that, in the twinkling of an eye.
Where would you be? If all of a sudden time stopped, what path are you on? Where are you headed? Are you going the right direction, are you on the right road, or have you missed your last exit at the last moment in time?
How many of us, when getting into the car to take a long trip to an unknown designation, just get in and drive? Probably not many of us. We all need a map, a GPS, or good ole Mapquest directions. We NEED something to help GUIDE us to get to where we are going. That is where the Holy Spirit comes in to play. To give you that instinct to look up, just in time to make that exit. Just in time to change your path and get you back on the road that leads you home; even if you're the only car on the highway that is taking that exit. That is also where the Word comes in to play, helping you to be able to guide yourself in the right direction. Don't be careless and think that your autopilot brain will get you there on it''s own. I can guarantee you that it won't.
Are you on your way home? Are you lost? Are you ignoring all the warning signs? Don't wait until there are no more exits left. You might just miss the last one you will ever have a chance to take. In this moment in time, it's not too late. If you're lost, if your GPS has been recalculating, grab that Bible and use it as your map. Hold on to the promises of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You might get to see him sooner thank you think.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 English Standard Version (ESV)
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 New International Version (NIV)
8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 New International Version (NIV)
10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-24 New International Version (NIV)
The Day of the Lord
5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Final Instructions
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
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