I saw this stop sign on top of Monarch Mountain while on a weekend getaway a couple months ago. I knew immediately that I needed to write a devotional about it. But, because I was busy working on another project, I put it aside. Last week, Pastor Scott asked if I wanted to write a devotional this month and I almost immediately thought of this picture. What was fitting was I was in the middle of a stressful morning at work when he sent me the text. I was able to STOP feeling some negative emotions with a positive distraction of thinking about writing.
What I liked about this photo was how we can use the word STOP. Yes, it’s important to STOP ourselves from doing something dangerous, like crossing a busy street. But, it’s also risky to use the STOP sign as a reason to not do something. It is tempting to say that someone else could do it better or you don’t know how your contribution could help.
The sign being upside down on top of a mountain is a perfect image for how it can feel when we are called to serve. It most likely will interrupt our regular routine, like when I was asked to write this devotional. I can imagine it was similar for the disciples who STOPPED what they were doing to follow Jesus.
Sometimes, the sign of STOP can be to STOP and listen to what God wants you to do. Instead of being resistant, STOPPING ourselves, I challenge every one of you to push yourself past the sign. This can mean something different for each one of us and that is good. It is also okay to challenge ourselves serving in new ways, not letting fear STOP us. That is where we can encourage one another on this journey. As the great commission in Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations…” It doesn’t say only a few, or some, or most. This is for ALL of us to GO.
The command of GO can be seen as stepping into a new role at church, but it also includes stepping out into the community. Jesus and the disciples didn’t just sit and wait in a building for people to come. They also didn’t let society’s preconceived judgements about certain people STOP them from ministering to them. Now is the time to GO and show all people they are loved!