Isaiah 30:21
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”
There was a saying that was popular when I was a young boy growing up. It was initiated due to the many accidents that were occurring at unregulated railroad crossings as cars were attempting to cross. The idea was that if one would stop when they got to the crossing, then look both ways and finally listen to see if they could hear a train approaching, that they could stop the needless collisions and save lives of many people.
You would think that people would have enough sense to check for trains and then proceed when safe to do so on their own, without having to be told. But, people get so accustomed to going a certain way and doing a certain thing, that sometimes they forget to check for any changes or dangers along the way. Repetition of events tends to breed complacency and mediocrity in our lives.
This principle is also true in the spiritual lives of believers. Things have been going the same way, the same direction for so long that we often just proceed ahead in the way that we have been going, assuming that there is no change or danger on the way.
We could help ourselves out and avoid needless pain and trouble if we would just do what the slogan says, stop, look and listen. When the way seems clear, the easy thing to do is to just keep on going the way we have been going. It is important to regularly take the time to stop and check with God. Ask Him if there is any thing that He is wanting to tell you about the day that is ahead. It only takes a few minutes, but it is time well spent. Next, take a moment to look. Look into the Word of God to see if He has a word for you this day. Thirdly, listen. it is so hard for some people to just simply sit and listen. stop doing all the talking yourself and listen to hear the still, small voice of the Lord. Remember, when proceeding in life, STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN.