Red Light, Green Light

I know when you saw the title your mind probably drifted back to a childhood game that you use to play. Although that game is relevant, that's not what this blog is about. It actually derives from one Saturday morning when I was on my way to class.

 I didn't leave from home as early as I should have so I was a little pressed for time. You should have seen me, I had that little black Sentra in the wind (don't tell my pastor..he'll get on us quick about obeying the laws of the land, I'm going to do better). I had just gotten off of my exit."Yes!" I thought, "I'm going to make it". As I was approaching the traffic light I watched it turn yellow, then red. That moment kinda reminded me of watching something fall in slow motion. You know what I mean right? When all you can do is reach out your hand and try to catch it while saying "nooooooo". I was fussing the entire time. "You should have just taken it" I told myself. "Now you're gonna be late for class" I thought. I even hollered at the light "COME ON AND TURN ALREADY" as if it could hear me..wow Regina really?

Why was I so upset? Because I viewed that red light as something that was hindering my progress. I had a destination to get to that was of great importance to me and I was stopped. Some of you may be facing some red lights right now. Perhaps you had a dream to start your own business and had to put it on hold. Maybe you were planning for a long awaited vacation and couldn't go because your money is looking funny. It could be that you are just trying to reach a certain point in your life but everything is at a standstill. Trust me, I understand. You may feel like throwing up your hands and saying what's the use. You may begin to beat yourself up concerning the things you could have done differently.  But guess what...the light will change!

Yep, I did all of that fussing and complaining for what???  The light turned green and I was on my way. Losing that space of time didn't affect the overall ending of my story. I made it to class on time and before a lot of the other students. I said all of that to say don’t let a temporary setback still your momentum, your hope, or aspirations. If you have to stop and regroup, do just that.

One of the scriptures that I love is this one right here: “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” Job 8:7. Oh yeah, I can’t forget this one: "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm.." Joel 2:25. You should give God praise right where you are for your latter being greater. Say it with me, "My latter will be greater!" Your words have power. 

So let's not beat ourselves up about bad choices or dwell on where we could've been or could be. Instead, let's look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Let's entrust our lives to His leading and focus on where we're going. The trial is only for a moment. Weeping is only for a moment. Disappointment is only for a moment. The red light is only for a moment. The light will change. Your life will change!

Until next time......