Confusing Signs and the Vote!

Well, my newly turned 18 year old son and I got up this morning, got into the car, and proceeded to drive to where we were going to vote. Because of precinct redistricting our polling place had been changed, but I knew where to go, so there was no problem. That is until I turned my car down the street where my destination was located. There were signs on both sides of the street informing drivers where voting was going on. The left side signs pointed left and the right side signs pointed right. Two churches stood on opposite sides of the road and both, apparently, were voting locations and both parking lots were pretty full. Thankfully, I knew which church was my polling place, so I turned left and parked. As we entered the building we heard of several who had gone into the wrong church and had been instructed to go across the street. I'm sure this senario was being played out in the other church as well. But my son and I were in the right place, so we received ballots and we successfully voted.

I'm still laughing over the signs. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Obviously, those in charge had no other option than to have these polling places right next to each other. But talk about confusion! But isn't this a picture of the election process itself? In America's two party system we are always confronted by two opposing choices. Increasingly, the differences between the two choices are becoming more pronounced. In fact, it seemed like this year that there was an enormous "canyon" between the two choices. They are like two signs pointing in two very opposite directions. Which way is right?

Even the two churches standing on opposite corners speak of the chasm that exists between religions. Everybody heads down the road between them and must choose a side. There are signs, but which ones give the information that will direct to the correct spot?

The signs that we are exposed to are tradition, writings of all kinds, personal feelings, testimony from others, fear, nature, and the conscience.This list is by no means exhaustive and they often point in different directions. Besides this, these signs can be misleading, false, lead to rabbit trails, or lead to dead ends. We can't even gauge the direction by the number of people in any given parking lot. What's the answer?

The only sign that can lead to absolute truth is the Bible. Many argue about it's veracity and authenticity, and refuse to accept the direction found therein, but those who have plumbed the riches that it contains, will argue back that there is no other sign that measures up to the Bible. It leads to the grace of God, forgiveness of sin, salvation, and eternal life. If these are true results, the Bible leads to the only correct direction. Yet, if it's false, like so many of the other signs are, the only negatives are having lived a life of purpose, peace, and love for God and man. Nothing is lost by going by the signs of the Bible, but everything may be gained.

Even those political questions can be answered by following the Bible. Life values that God says are important can guide in the determination of how to vote. It's all there!

My son and I were not confused by the opposing signs leading to our polling place. Nor are we confused about the myriad number of signs along life's highway. It is the tiny sign that says, "Bible" that will direct us into the future.

Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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