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Reflections at a Stop Sign
I have been making a little survey. It is not scientifically accurate, nor are the conclusions I have drawn necessary ones. But they are interesting.
Many motorists do not stop when they approach a stop sign. They slow down and creep into the intersection. If not challenged by another “creeper” they proceed through the intersection on to the next one controlled by a stop sign. Then this stately vehicular dance is repeated. They do not seem to understand that “stop” means “stop,” as in “to cease motion.”
Ready for the cosmic conclusion (since this is not a discourse on traffic safety)? Some of us tend to become spiritual “creepers.”
We whiz through life at such a breakneck speed that the spiritual intersections are minor/major irritations. Surely, we are not supposed to stop, even though the sign reads that way. Are you not with me yet? Let me explain. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). This verse really can’t really mean a believer must be immersed, even though Jesus said “and is baptized.” Many folks “creep” right through this verse because they have had some amount of water applied to them. In fact, some get irritated when they are challenged about their “baptism,” which isn’t immersion, but was sprinkling or pouring. They think it is hardly worth discussing. They probably also think stop means creep. Interesting, isn’t it?
Before I leave this stop sign discussion, permit me one more observation. Maybe one reason some drivers become “creepers” is because the route is so familiar, the boredom so acute, that they don’t drive alertly. They are thinking about something else and don’t really think about stopping-just slowing down.
Spiritual “creepers” tend to sort of drift along. They hear sermons about spiritual “stop signs” but they think it’s mostly preacher-talk. After all, that’s what he is supposed to do. They will never prepare themselves to teach others because their schedules are too tight right now, and besides, others are more talented than they. Their children participate in every kind of school activity possible, but congregational activities are unimportant. They don’t intend for their “religion” to interfere with “life.”
Centuries ago, an inspired writer had some words of exhortation for the “creepers” of his day. Here it is: “Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them” (Hebrews 2:1). The next time you approach a stop sign, think about what stop means. More importantly, the next time you read the word of God, think about what it means. Then do it!
~Ed Brand
