"School Zones and Life"

Each day, as I take the 19.4 mile drive to the church building I pass through, at least, two school zones (depending on the route I take). It is required that I slow down and be watchful. We do this in order to keep our children safe as they walk to school and cross the streets. There are definitely times when it is good to slow down and be watchful.

I used to paint with oil on canvas, and although I haven't taken up a brush for more than twenty years there are at least two times each year that I think about getting out my paints and brushes and trying my hand at it again. The early spring is one of those times. The red buds are popping out, creating just a subtle splash of color in the edges of the trees. The pear trees are blooming, buttercups are in their full beauty and the tulips are coming up. If you look closely you can see a faint tinge of green in the hillsides. The colors are spectacular in the Tennessee countryside and they are new every morning. This is a good time to slow down, appreciate and be thankful.

Isn't that a great concept for our spiritual lives, as well? Do you slow down and allow your mind to take in the beauty in the wonderful world around you and the blessings of life? When is the last time you just stopped whatever you were doing and opened God's Word to read or paused for a moment of prayer to God? Every Sunday when Christians are assembled to worship, do you slow down in life to praise God and remember the sacrifice of His Son on the cross of Calvary? One important reason to worship God regularly is so that we won't forget how great He is. We find these words in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" As you worship God each Lord's Day, slow down and reflect on His love for you.

The next time you are on the road and see those flashing lights of a school zone, be reminded of how important it is to slow down spiritually. Remember to come worship God with brothers and sisters in Christ each Sunday. Also, take time to look around this world and be thankful for God's beautiful creation.