Jan
25
2017
Removing A Traffic Light
Posted in Salvation 2 Comments
Do you ever pay attention to the signs you see on the road as you go about your day?
There are the obvious ones: Stop, Yield, Speed Limit, and Detour.
There are the occasional ones: Men Working, Lane Closed Ahead, and Sidewalk Closed.
I happened to see a sign as I was driving that I had never seen before.
It was a fairly large sign that was posted adjacent to a traffic light.
It was rectangular in shape but larger than most signs I am used to seeing.
The words were in block letters.
It simply said: Traffic light under study for removal.
I have seen traffic lights being installed at an intersection.
I have seen them blinking for a while so that drivers becomes used to them being there.
After that short blinking period, all the rules pertaining to the traffic lights must be obeyed.
I never considered the removal of a traffic light once it is placed at an intersection.
The borough I was driving through has a website.
I decided to look and see if I could find any information.
The information was very generic.
I could not find anything about that particular intersection.
The Borough of ____ owns and operates 41 traffic lights. PennDOT regulates all traffic lights in Pennsylvania as to layout, timing, location, and signage. Any changes to a signalized intersection requires PennDOT approval.
The street where the sign was placed is a state owned road.
The traffic light removal study was obviously approved by the transportation department.
I was curious as to the reasons why; there must be something more going on.
I discovered later that a revitalization program is in place.
The ______ Downtown Improvement District Authority has developed a strategic plan to aid in the revitalization of the Borough’s downtown business district. The mission is to create a safe, welcoming, and sustainable environment in the downtown for businesses and organizations to grow.
Everything in the downtown area is being spruced up.
The historic district will be restored to its former self.
Incentives for new businesses are in place to encourage them to come into the district.
New traffic patterns and pedestrian routes are being considered.
These things take time.
When local government is involved, it may take even more time.
Red tape and various agencies have to be in agreement.
I may see that sign adjacent to the traffic light for quite a while.
It made me think about what the removal of the traffic light might mean.
Pedestrians crosswalks may have to be added for safety once the traffic light is removed.
Cars that frequently stop there along the main street will be able to drive straight through.
The flow of cars will be less hindered as they easily drive down the main street.
Traffic lights are placed strategically for our safety.
There have been many times when I thought a traffic light should be installed somewhere.
I have never come across a place where I thought one should be removed.
We have to trust that local government knows what they are doing.
A pastor that I respect had written to me after I had sent him an obituary a few years ago.
Through the obituary, he learned more about the person who had died.
We had been talking about people coming to saving faith in Jesus.
We had been discussing the roadblocks and hindrances that people often face on that journey.
A trusted seminary professor presented him with an analogy.
That analogy illustrated it best for him.
He passed the analogy on to me.
I have thought about it and used the example many times when I teach.
If Jesus Christ is a Tree, religion has planted so many shrubs around the tree over the years, it is difficult to see the central Tree in the midst of all the growth…Some people tend to put their faith in the church rather than in Christ. Other people put their faith in their own obedience rather than Christ’s obedience. Satan works to keep people from putting faith in Jesus, whether it is the church or their obedience. Those things are good things, but nothing compared to the righteous life and atoning death of Jesus Christ.
I have appreciated the analogy of the shrubs versus the central Tree.
Things that are good things can be roadblocks along the way to saving faith in Jesus.
The enemy of our souls tries to stop us at every turn.
The enemy of our souls tries to hinder us from coming to Jesus alone for our salvation.
When God calls us to Himself, the Holy Spirit quickens our hearts.
Faith is a gift from God and without it, we cannot even believe on our own.
Once the Holy Spirit dwells in us, there is unobstructed flow of grace.
As we study God’s Word, we see the futility of the frequent stops the enemy puts in our path.
When we follow the Holy Spirit, our path is clear.
There will be turns and obstacles along the way, especially when we get distracted.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we will arrive safely.
The Holy Spirit will make sure of that.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)
We must trust in Jesus for our salvation.
There is nothing we need to add, or do in order to secure our salvation.
Salvation is by faith alone, by Scripture alone, through Christ alone.
Salvation is by grace alone, all to the glory of God alone.
I don’t know much about official traffic studies.
I do know that by studying the Word of God, our path will be clear.
Our path will not always be smooth sailing; there will be potholes along the way.
But our Destination is sure.
God promises.
You quoted my life verse (Prov. 3:5-6). We can never go wrong when we trust in God and in Jesus as our Savior and in the Holy Spirit’s guidance. They are all the signpost we need!
Sue,
Amen!!!
So many verses are etched permanently on our hearts to lead us closer to Him.
Gina