Many of you reading this blog will remember the game, Green light. Yellow light. Red light.

There was someone calling out green light, yellow light, red light! The other kids were lined up in anticipation to see who would be the fastest and most efficient in following directions. The goal was to tag the caller first so they would get the opportunity to be the next one to call out green light, yellow light, red light!

When the green light is called everyone ran as fast as they could. Regardless of how fast they were going when they heard yellow light they had to slow down and when they heard red light they had to stop. But the participants never knew what color was going to be called. They were stuck! They couldn’t figure out what move to make next until they received directions from the one who was in charge of calling out the colors.

When life happens or is overwhelming, we may not know what to do, we feel stuck.

We are tempted to run in one direction or another (green light). Then, there’s that limbo place where we want to go one way or another but are unsure which way to turn (yellow light). Or we have the opposite reaction and shut completely down (red light). So, we feel stuck.

Romans 8:27 reminds us, “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The Holy Spirit knows the heart of the Father for us in each of these situations.

God is the one who’s in charge. He knows when we should go, wait or stop.

God is our color caller!

Green light: Time to go, go, go! You are brave and strong. You can do this thing even though you have apprehensions.  I’ll show you the next step. (Philippines 4:13, Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 32:27).

Yellow light: This isn’t your job!  You’re operating outside of what I want you to do. Let Me do the work needed. I know you can’t see what I’m doing but trust Me. (Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31, Habakkuk 2:3, Psalm 62:5).

Red light: Stop my child! Let Me help you work through that emotion. Let Me help you work through that circumstance. If you react now, it will only create wounds for you, and for other people in your life. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Isaiah 55:8, Romans 8:31).

As we listen to the Holy Spirit( John 14:26, 1 Joh 4:1-3), we are tuned into the heart of God – over that circumstance, over that moment, and over our lives. God knows that we wrestle with mixed feelings and that the direction is not always clear.

Thankfully, He also knows what is around the corner. We can be overwhelmed in the heat of the moment or we can join in with the heart of the Father, which allows us to take that huge leap of faith (green light), trust Him as we wait for clear direction (yellow light), or put on the brakes for the better good (red light).

In all of these we are still moving toward our destination, but in the safety of His love.

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for walking with me daily. I don’t always know which way to go, or how to respond, but You do. Thank You for coming alongside. Thank You that You know what is ahead of me. As I listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, thank You for keeping my feet on the path You have carved for me, Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: God longs to give wisdom generously. The more you ask, the more you are listening the more you begin to recognize His voice about all things.

James 1:5-- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Proverbs 8:10-14-- Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.¹² “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.¹³ The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil   and perverted speech I hate.¹⁴ I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

Proverbs 8:17-- I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.