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Proverbs 15:24 – The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. (NIV)

As the fall draws along, road construction is also in high gear to get roads completed before the winter season. For the past few weeks, on the road that I travel twice a day when I'm working, the paving company has been busy putting down layers of asphalt. What was once a two-lane road is being transformed into five lanes. Pylons, flag people, and large pieces of equipment are in abundance.

It was still dark today as I travelled, and it was just me and the pylons — and the five cars behind me. As I was navigating the five rows of pylons before me, I had to make decisions. If I made a mistake, I could find myself in the oncoming lane of traffic, and worse, the five cars behind me would also be in the wrong lane.

I found this a very stressful drive for the three or four minutes, as pylons had been knocked over, and an error could easily have occurred. I believe that seeing the cars in my rear view mirror and knowing that my decisions would also affect them added to my stress. I thought to myself, Oh, how I wish I were following and not leading the way.

As I was sharing about my drive with another co-worker, I realized that I am a follower: my focus for following is in Christ. I am also a leader: showing other people the way to Jesus. Even though this drive didn't have a direct impact on the other drivers, I was able to say a prayer on their behalf later on in the day. I did this in blessed assurance that my prayer was heard and, more importantly, acted upon by Jesus in His timing.

1 Timothy 2:1 – I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. (NIV)

What an impactful realization it is that He is in all we say and do, even before we come before Him. What if we prayed and spoke blessings in all that we do, or as in this case, prayed for the people in five random cars as we go about our day. We know the power of prayer, and I'm sure that many of us have experienced answers to prayer. Who knows? My prayer may have brought comfort to someone on this day as they travelled.

Are we aware, as we drive among the pylons of life, that other people are watching our lifestyle and are deciding whether they will follow us to Jesus?

Prayer: Dear Lord, continue to open up the well of knowledge into our lives. Thank You for the answers to all the prayers that are made in Your name. Help us to pray and walk with You in all that we say and do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Julie Bowles
Barrie, Ontario, Canada