I Saw The Sign

For those who find themselves in a state of wonder.
I wonder what would happen if I go down this unknown road of discovery.
I am talking about traveling on a specific road that leads to destruction.
The road sign reads: Dangerous Curves Ahead.
The unknown roads that can entice any of us. They can start when we are living away from home for the first time. At a time that we are finally free to make our own decisions without parental restrictions. It’s unfortunate that sometimes we don’t listen to advice or counsel no matter how much it may make sense. There is this stubbornness in each of us that says, “I am in control of the situation and I am going to walk down that path. I will be fine.”
Even if it is quite evident there are lions, and tigers and bears oh no… lurking around each bend of the road. Until we experience the consequences ourselves we sometimes choose not to take heed to the dangers ahead.
It falls under our old nature or sin nature. Sometimes we just don’t fully grasp the danger of the curves of consequences until we actually walk through them and see for ourselves that maybe that road wasn’t the best choice after all. The best case scenario is that we learn our lesson and hopefully gain compassion for others who might have traveled that same road. As we approach the road it starts with a thought. In reality, it happens to be a bold face lie. Let’s just call it what it is.
“I would never do that!” or “I am strong enough! That won’t happen to me”. You better hold on tight to the railing. There is a slippery slope ahead. The truth is that we ALL are quite capable of falling. Especially, if we don’t take action and follow the signs posted along the path that lead us to safety. The road up ahead of us might say, “One Way”.

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Matthew 7:14
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”

The Message version puts it simply.
You have to be proactive in all that you do if you are going to find your way through life to God successfully. Well, at least without getting too many bumps and scratches.

This is my story based on my experience. Keep in mind my road map is The Bible. It has served me well, especially when I am intentional and take its recommendations on which turns I should take on this road we call life.
Let’s get real and see what happens.
For me, it started with the one thought.
Lie #1
“I would never cheat on my husband.” Honestly, I didn’t think I was capable because I had made great choices in the past and had set myself up for a pretty good marriage and relationship with my husband. I am a Christian with a strong desire to do what is right and honorable to God and my husband. Bottom line, I thought I was at low risk for any possibility of inappropriate behavior that would compromise the relationship of my marriage.
Lie #2
“I am not capable of such sin because let’s just face it….
I’m too good!!!”

Well, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God according to Romans 3:23.

That includes me, myself and I.
Looking back, that should have been my starting point to protect me from the choices I was going to make in the future.
My road sign should have hit me smack dap on the head and said:
“I am capable of having an affair so I will NOT put myself in compromising positions of weakness.”

That includes scenarios that might make me look odd or strange by others.

This is not a wide road remember, it’s quite narrow and not too many take it. It could be considered the road less traveled.

James 4:7
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

I knew each time I compromised and each time it got easier to push aside that little inner voice of correction. It reminded me, “You are quite capable of having an affair and you need to stop before it’s too late.”

Of course, the voice was really the Holy Spirit gently calling me back to a place of safety. He does have the luxury of knowing the end results of all that takes place in the past, present and future.
Meanwhile, I was slowly being boiled like the poor little lobster thrown into a pot of water. The heat starts slow and steady then fires up to boiling without any warning. Before you know it, the lobster is boiled alive and didn’t even see it coming. (poor thing)
Okay, that’s a little dramatic but not really.
You slowly start making bad little choices that lead to bigger badder choices. Then before you know it you wonder how you got into this boiling pot of predicaments.
It’s really quite simple.
You believed the lies.

Say after me three times!!!

“I am capable of being boiled alive like a lobster!!!”
Or rather…… I am capable of any sin!!

You don’t have to fall into sin if your starting point is acknowledging your feet could stumble and equipping yourself with a plan of action.

Unfortunately, some of us can read this and NOT take heed. Again, our sin nature in us at times gets the best of us and we just simply don’t listen. You could tell a toddler a hundred times not to touch a hot stove. But until they touch the red hot burner and get their fingers burned they do not really get the message loud and clear.

The temptation of the forbidden fruit is extremely alluring and at times it can destroy families, lives and destinies. The enemy is not stupid and has been around a very long time scheming plans to destroy us. He starts by helping us jump on a “merry go around” of lies and dissatisfaction.
We go round and round picking up addictions, disappointments and depression with each turn we make. We start to wonder how we got stuck here and how do we get off this crazy ride. It makes us dizzy and it clouds our thinking.

1 Peter 5:8-11 The Message
“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”

I know from experience the ride is exciting and thrilling going up the track. Coming back down the roller coaster ride loops us backwards and leads to an upside down scary that can drive us to destruction.
The good news is that you can do all things through Christ.
He gave me the strength to stop the ride and jump off quickly.
It was difficult and painful to go through the long process of restoration and really reconstruction of my thinking.
The Truth was my hammer to start breaking off the chains to set me free in more ways than one. I eventually became one of those survivors who learned from my experience and gained tremendous compassion for others who wandered down that same road of infidelity.

It’s a known road now. I know what’s ahead. I can tell you every curve before you get there because I
walked on it and came out stronger and smarter on the other side.

There is hope for those who find themselves stuck on this road and are afraid to go forward or backward.
Deut. 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I will never forget the day I sat on my bed and surrendered!! The white flag was raised high and I cried out to God. It was time for me to do what was right but I was terrified. He heard my cry!! That still small voice that I had stuffed away and couldn’t hear anymore penetrated loud and clear through my thoughts.
“If you tell the truth, I promise I will never leave you nor forsake you. The truth will set you free.”
Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we choose to look up and ask for help. It’s okay because God already knows ahead and is never surprised. His love reaches far and wide and we can’t escape His goodness.
He just needs our permission to work with Him on restoring all that we allowed to be taken from us.
He gives back lavishly and is patiently waiting for us to come back to Him.
The cool thing is that what the enemy meant for evil can be used for good.
Beauty for ashes!!
Isaiah 61:3
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”

I really can’t tell you how anyone is able to work their way out of the hole of infidelity without a faith in God. It doesn’t seem possible to be able to turn things right side up without the assistance of God helping you. I could not have done it without God leading me and my surrender to His promises. I had to believe Him at His Word and act out the faith He gave me.
Walking out this curve in the road was difficult but worth the work. It has drawn me closer to God and my husband. Our marriage is not perfect but it is stronger and smarter.
If you wake up and find yourself somewhere at the beginning, middle or end of this particular road. It doesn’t have to be a road of infidelity only. It could be compromises, disobedience, or just a road that leads to no where. Maybe you just got to where you forgot to take God with you and you are tired of being on your own without hearing His still small voice.
Be encouraged, there can always be a moment of “interruption”.

It reminds me of the song by Ace of Base band, “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes.”

Open up your eyes!!!!

Stop Signs are possible with God and he always provides a way of escape.

Start with a sign of a
surrender with a cry of help.

Watch as God comes along side of you and brings all the resources you need to help you get back on track.

Disclaimer:
This song is not responsible for anyone singing it without proper interpretation using the
context of this blog:
Think and Sing!
I saw the sign and left situations that are not healthy for my marriage.
That’s where I (we) belong!!!

Light On,
Kelley Allison