I was in junior high when I was asked to join the “Safety Patrol.” I remember the excitement of getting out of school early to attend the orientation where we received our “Safety Belt Sash,” the “Stop Sign” (8’ cane pole with a stop flag fastened on it) and our “Safety Patrol” badge. Boy, that was big stuff. But at that moment I didn’t understand the responsibility. It meant being at my post (street intersection) before school was out rain or shine. Our primary job was not to stop traffic but to stop children from darting out in front of an on-coming car. This meant telling my schoolmates to wait on the corner until I said it was clear to cross. I thought about the safety of my schoolmates first. Seldom was there a problem but…there were always one or two with an attitude of, “You can’t tell me what to do!” These kids were reported to the Principal for “attitude adjustments.”

God is cool. When I sit with Him in the quiet of the morning He will reveal His hand of guidance. There was a period of my life when I was the kid with the “you can’t tell me what to do” attitude. I darted in front of the traffic, and it almost cost me everything. It was then sitting in the “Office” I recognized I had to change everything.

Now I find myself on His “Safety Patrol.” I didn’t ask to be on His Safety Patrol. I did not get a cool safety belt & sash, a badge, or the cane pole flag. No. But I recognize He (God) started getting me ready in 1984 for my post years later. That is when I enrolled in Bible Study Fellowship. That was the year we were studying, John. The year I fell in love with His Living Word.

He gave me a hunger to tell others, there is a better way. You don’t have to try to beat the oncoming cars of life. Along with the hunger to tell others of the “Good News,” He gave me His ever-present Holy Spirit that whispers His guidance, recalls His Word, and enables me to write “Today’s Good News” encouragements. Along with His equipping, He gave me purpose. It is in His purpose, that no matter the conditions, there is Joy.

He taught me about His purpose early one October morning in 1999. As I was reading Jeremiah 29:11-13, it seemed to be underlined or standing out. Little did I know the next 5 months this scripture would be the “life saver’ in the stormy sea. “For I (Almighty God) know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” I found Joy in the storm.

Isn’t it time you found His Joy? Isn’t it time you found His Peace? The secret is in what Paul writes about…It’s in Obedience to His Way for your life. Be encouraged by Paul’s words, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 Jesus did not promise us good conditions, but He did promise us, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10