Do Not Enter

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it. . .” (Isaiah 30:21a)

We replaced the decades-old house with a new bluebird box, let it “season” it in the sunshine and rain for a few weeks, then mounted it securely on a pole. Oddly, after a year, there were only curious observers but no occupants. Their instincts warned them not to venture inside the house. It’s as though there was a posted warning sign: Enter at your own risk. Finally, two years later, the birds felt safe and raised many families in their new home.

God’s children have instincts too, but something far more significant. When we face an uncertain situation, head towards danger, or go the wrong direction, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, saying, “Do not enter,” yet, He never leaves us dangling. He will instruct us, “This is the way; walk in it.” But unlike the cautious bluebirds, we often forge ahead, disregard God’s warning, and suffer consequences that affect us, those within our circle of life, and those our lives would influence.

Jesus sometimes taught with parables using birds, grass, flowers, seed, and soil. What we do with that knowledge governs the path we take. Listen to God’s voice; He always leads the right way to walk. Listen and obey.