Who Turned the Signpost Around?

Have you ever seen a signpost that has several placards with arrows facing in different directions? These are common at resorts and condo complexes. Each sign will tell you the unit numbers in that direction. As you drive into unfamiliar territory, where you will be staying generally for two weeks or less, the signs can be extremely valuable. I remember when I was 12 years old my family shared a cabin with my cousins at a resort with one of the signs. As we were taking a walk with newly met friends, another child discovered that a signpost was loose. Someone had spun the sign around and all of the directions were incorrect. (I would like to say that we told the owner so he could correct the sign. But unfortunately I watched as this other child simply took a spin to see where the arrows would land.) Anyone following the directions of that sign would soon find the information was incorrect. In fact the arrows no longer pointed to the roads.

At a resort property, misinformation of this nature is not too critical. Unit numbers are visibly placed on each cabin or townhouse. One can return to the junction where he made the wrong turn and try another direction. It is actually more of an inconvenience than anything else. When these signs relate to permanent locations; such as homes and business complexes; the results can be a little more serious. These are permanent sites and building numbers may be difficult to see. The need for accuracy is more urgent and signposts must be securely anchored to avoid error.

Have you ever felt that you arrived at one of these signposts in your personal life? Often we are not sure which way to go. We can look to all the conventional wisdom of the world. It may seem that we have found the perfect job, living arrangement or even ministry to the Lord. We proceed in the direction that the signs indicate but soon find that we took a wrong turn somewhere along the way. We may feel that we have done everything properly and our minds cry out, “Who turned the signpost around?”

The question here is actually how well is the signpost anchored. What is the foundation of the post and just how secure and immovable was it built?

Jesus tells the story of those who build their houses on the rock and others who built on sand. “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 AMP) This same principle applies to the signpost that we look for along the way. Directions that come from the word of God are secure and will lead us in the correct direction. On the other hand, directions that come from seemingly good advice may not be reliable or secure. 

Jesus is the chief cornerstone and firm foundation. “You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20 AMP) We are to build our lives on the salvation that He died to purchase for us. Following His example, we pattern our lives after Jesus, who came to complete the whole law of God. “Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17 AMP) He only acted as He was led by the Father. “But Jesus answered them, My Father has worked [even] until now, [He has never ceased working; He is still working] and I, too, must be at [divine] work.” (John 5:17 AMP) We must also follow the written word and the Spirit of God.

When our guidelines for life are based on anything but the word of God we run the risk of great error. This is like the signpost dropped into the dirt that can easily be turned around. Although not always bad, conventional wisdom can sometimes lead us astray. “There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but At the end of it is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 AMP) This is not the signpost a believer will benefit by following. Rather studying the written word and listening to the Holy Spirit will lead us in the right direction. Even in confusing times we can trust God. “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.”  (Isaiah 30:21 AMP)

So do not risk following a sign that may have been spun around. Double check that you are receiving your directions from God and His word.