The Sound of the Garbage Trucks!

I know this is a bit of a strange topic, but I’m sure most of you have experienced it.  On garbage pickup day, long before it ever reaches my house, I can hear the sound of the garbage truck that is coming through our neighborhood to pick up our garbage.  As the truck makes its way through the neighborhood, it stops and starts and then stops and starts, over and over again. And, each time it stops its brakes make a sound, almost like they are crying out a warning to those of us who have not yet brought our garbage to the curb. In fact, once again this morning the cry of the brakes caused me to run outside and quickly pull out our garbage can before the truck showed up.  I was thankful for the warning, or else I would have been left with a full garbage can waiting for next week’s pickup. 

This is the way they do it in my neighborhood!

Warnings can come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  The notification from the weather bureau, the road sign showing the sharp curve in the road ahead, the warning label on the side of the cigarette carton, the word from the doctor that one’s cholesterol or blood pressure is too high are all examples of some of the kinds of warnings we receive. They are meant to be helpful to our lives.  If they are to have any effect, however, they must be heeded.  Should we ignore the warnings we receive, we potentially face some dire consequences—usually much more serious than just having a full garbage can waiting for next week’s pickup. 

The book of Proverbs—a book filled with warnings—says, “The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.”  (Proverbs 10:27-28 – NIV)  We also read, “Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.” And, “Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” (Proverbs 11:19, 21 – NIV)

In his grace and mercy, God warns us of the consequences of living our lives just any way that we please. He warns us of the destruction we can end up bringing upon ourselves, and those around us, should we decide to live without any thought of the future, both immediate and eternal.  And, he warns us that one day each of us will have to give an account for how we have lived our lives.

God wants to save us from the terrible consequences of sin. And, he wants us to know his blessing upon our lives both now and in eternity. So, let’s not ignore the warnings he has given. Instead, let’s heed his warnings as we trust him completely with our lives. 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris