Lessons From The Road: Understanding God's Ways Through Traffic Experiences

LESSONS FROM THE ROAD

Understanding God’s Ways Through Traffic Experience

Daniel O. Ogweno

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Smashwords Edition

Published by Daniel O. Ogweno at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 by Daniel O. Ogweno

This book is also available in print at Amazon, Xulon

You may also wish to consider other titles by the same author at Smashwords.com. The titles include:

The Secret Weapon Against Terrorism

A Life of an Enthusiastic Worship

The Pursuit of Commitment

Dreams of Hope and Visions of Divine Intervention (Personal Story), etc.

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work.

Thank you for downloading this e-book. I am very much willing to let my readers share, reproduce, copy and distribute this book to friends and acquaintances, etc. for non-commercial purposes, this, however, is technically minimised because I have engaged commercial distributors. They may not be keen to distribute a book that after being bought by one person, is redistributed near and far for free. If you feel this book is worth reading, recommend it to your networks that they may get a copy of their own. We rely on the book proceeds or offerings to fund the ministry and to give alms. But if for one reason or another they are not in a position to get their own copy, you are free to send your copy to them.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION(R) NIV(R) Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from The Authorized Version (or King James Version) of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified (R) Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org).

When a scripture reference is marked with a specific version, e.g. NKJV; KJV or NIV it shows the recommended version in relation to what is being discussed.

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to Rose Mutabaruka, the woman of God who pointed me to the One who finally took my hand and said, I am from There and I am going back There, come with Me!

God brought you all the way from Rwanda to Kenya to point me to Christ. If you were to count a single accomplishment while you were studying in Kenya, make it this: That you were used by God to lead a soul to Christ!

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Dedication

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Seeking the Way to Heaven

I Am Going There, Would You Like to Come With Me?

Scrutinising the Road of Faith

Left to Find Their Own Way

CHAPTER 2: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The Roadmap

Road Names

Starting Well Does Not Guarantee Finishing—Well

Road Signboards

The Road on Paper and the Actual Road

The Word of God—The Roadmap of Life

CHAPTER 3: CROSSING THE SEA

Helpless But Not Hopeless

No Justifiable Reasons for Solitude Christianity

CHAPTER 4: MOUNTAINS, MEANDERS AND TUNNELS

The Course of the Journey

Mountains on the Way

Meanders on the Way

Tunnels on the Way

Joseph Trusted in God

CHAPTER 5: BEAUTIFUL NATURE ALONG THE WAY

The Works of God’s Hand Are Breathtaking

Relating With the Created More Than the Creator?

A Lady Stopped Going to Church

Choosing God or God’s

Lapping Like a Dog or Drinking Like a Cow?

Left Christ for a Job

Money Can Never Be Enough

CHAPTER 6: TRAVELLED THE ROAD BEFORE BUT IT STILL LOOKED NEW

The Roadmap Still Necessary

What Will He Say About the Prodigal Son That I Don’t Know?

Consult the Roadmap for Daily Directions

CHAPTER 7: TRAFFIC RULES

Is Your Traffic Light Green?

Snapped By the Traffic Camera

Being Influenced By Others to Do Wrong Things?

It Works Better This Way!

What Does the Bible Say?

CHAPTER 8: THE TRAFFIC POLICE

Traffic Police Pointing the Direction

The Crown of the Traffic Police

On Mission Without Commission

The Traffic Police in the Vicinity

How Much Must We Pay Before We Learn?

The Second Coming of Christ—The Most Emotional

CHAPTER 9: ACCIDENTS AT AN UNLIKELY SPOT

Straight, Smooth, Wide and Long Stretch of a Road

I Don’t Understand!

CHAPTER 10: TRAFFIC SAFETY—NOT A ONE MAN’S SHOW

Your Expertise Is Not All It Takes

Accident Knows No Innocence

On the Road, One’s Rights Can Kill Him

Sacrificing Our Rights for the Sake of Others

CHAPTER 11: A LUXURY OR A USABLE CAR?

It Is The Performance Not The Prettification That Matters

It Isn’t the Magnitude of But the Attitude to Our Call That Matters

CHAPTER 12: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME? THINK AGAIN!

A Misleading Axiom?

Roads and Deviations

Religious Implications of All Roads Lead to Rome

CHAPTER 13: THE ROAD—A TESTING GROUND

Traffic Jam and the Test of Patience

Delayed at the Road

A Dead-End: No Through Road, No Turning Space and No Reverse Gear

CHAPTER 14: ONE DRIVER AT A TIME

Let the Driver Drive

Let the Leader Lead

Being Instructed By Someone Who Doesn’t Know How to Drive

CHAPTER 15: MISSED THE BUS NARROWLY

Almost Caught the Bus

Repent or Perish!

Waiting at the Bus Stop or Still Holding With Things?

Genuine Excuses for Missing the Bus?

Tomorrow Never Comes

Willing Bride But Not Ready for Wedding

Last Minute Redemption Attempt Was Unheeded By a Lady

The Syndrome of Blaming Others

CHAPTER 16: TRAVELLING OR ESCORTING TRAVELLERS?

Everyone Wants to Go to Heaven

They Are Not Real!

Christians Are Hypocrites!

Some Cases Are Obviously Not Christian

Stop Looking at Christians Look at Christ …

… Howbeit, Look at Christians

It Is Christ Who Can Tell The Difference If It Isn’t Obvious

CHAPTER 17: AT THE CROSSROADS OF DECISION

Religious Crisis

The Sure Foundation Stands

Consider Christ and the Offer of Salvation

Read the Manual!

Notes

EPILOGUE

Other books by the same author

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Back to the Table of Content

Acknowledgements

For some of us, life has not been a short cut. A long cut means that at times life only offers a string as a bridge to cross between two steep cliffs.

I can only look back and say that it has taken the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, my Saviour to get me across in life along bridges of strings and over the ridges of decimations. This is why, for me, a moment of writing an acknowledgement is a time for reflection—many little things; many ineffectual people; many insignificant conversations and observations combine to teach me a lesson for life. How can I acknowledge all these without filling pages and pages—ending up taking all the space for the message?

My sincere indebtedness first and foremost to You my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. Unto You I owe my very life. You revealed God to me and as if that was not enough, You gave Your life that I may live. To crown it all, You made way for the Holy Spirit to make an abode in my body, making it a temple of God. Thank You Jesus! I truly love You Lord!

I am forever indebted to my wife Laura Caroline Ogweno. I sincerely love you. To my two sons, Victor and Jim-Jif, and daughter, Baraka I must say that you are my most precious gifts from God. You are a blessing to me. Being your dad has taught me lots of divine truths in regard to how our heavenly Father also relates with His children generally and me specifically.

To mama Nora Awuor Migoma, your special love for me made me forget that I was an orphan.

I am grateful to Stein Ørnhaug. The birth of this book was a result of the roadmap you gave me. I trusted your instructions because I knew that you personally had been to Skien before. The roadmap you gave was unmistakable.

Norleif Askeland, Geir Rolland and Marius Bergesen you are wonderful people. Thanks for being always available. It is a blessing to have friends like you.

Per and Bjørg Kristing; Per Erik and Irene Olsen, my family and I are forever indebted by your love—you mean so much to us. The feeling that one has a warm place in someone else’s heart is a precious thing. I have been able to do what I am doing because you stood by my family in the storms of life. Though we have lost some battles, you can see that our spiritual journey is a mixture of losses and wins.

Torfinn and Unn Karin Myhre, words cannot adequately describe my gratitude for being faithful brethren and friends. To Torfinn: special thanks for the errors you helped me sort out in the manuscript. However much I say Thank you, I always feel that it is not enough.

Fredrick Makosir, thanks for taking time to read through the manuscript. The corrections you suggested were truly commendable.

Mark Owino Makochien’g, you are one of the few people that guided me to take my first bearings as far as the spiritual journey is concerned. The Gospel music I got from you fed my soul in a remarkable way. Not least, thanks for the editing work you did for me.

Mable Makochien’g, I have admired your commitment to serve the Lord Jesus. It is an inspiration.

Pastor Wilfred Amollo, Grace Amollo, Herine and Okoth Kwenda, thank you people for keeping my family in the centre of your prayers. We cherish those prayers.

Elisha and Tabitha Odero, fellowshipping with you has enriched my spiritual life. Thank you for the prayers.

Pastor Billy Ogwang, the short time we shared together in Agoro Oyombe left a permanent mark in me. I not only know you as a brother but as a dependable brother at that. To Mary Ogwang, I will never forget what a blessing you were to me in Ng’iya. May God bless you!

Bård Wågø and Kirsti, I appreciate the times we have had together. I have enjoyed your fellowship and friendship.

Håkon and Eldbjørg Landsverk, you people have a beautiful heart. Your commitment to serve the Lord and your love for others is truly an asset to the Church. Thanks for the love and refuge my family has had in your kindness.

Bjørghild Skogerbø, the history of my life opened a new chapter when I stepped into your office that April morning, 2003. Thanks for the confidence you instilled in me. The result was that I was able to face a challenge that had all along been intimidating. Thanks!!

Jorrun Marie Haugstad, I admire your commitment to serve the Lord Jesus. Thanks for having been a friend and an inspiration.

Peter C. Otiato, there is something so preciously special about you. Thanks for hosting me when I was truly a stranger. People like you are hard to come by.

My former colleagues at Klosterskogen VGS: Sølvi Nymo, Nils Naas, Christian B-Lund, Hedvig Marie Orekåsa and Jan Hasseleid. It was hard for me to leave in an unprecedented way. Thank you for the short time we were together. I truly appreciate the help I got from you people—you were wonderful people to work with.

Nils Naas and Inger-Lise Svennungsen, I wish it could suffice to say thank you! If you didn’t stand with me, I would not only have lost the war, I would have equally lost the battle. I wish I could prove to you that what you did for me was not in vain. I have asked God for a special favour for you.

I must admit that there are many names that have not been named here. This should not be construed to mean a denigration of the contribution they made in one way or another. Rather, just as the apostle John realised when he was concluding what we now call the Gospel according to John that if all that Jesus did were to be written, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written thereof, it would be absurd to have acknowledgement that fills for a book in itself. I just have to stop here.

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Preface

It all began when I finally got a job after a long stretch of time. Being eager to get a job, my search for employment was not confined to the area where I was living. I sought jobs far and wide. I got a job at a place I had never been before.

To relocate to the place of work, the journey would take eight hours’ drive. In the mountainous country of Norway, I knew that driving to my new place of work would be challenging. This was not only because of the long journey and the mountains, it was more so because I hadn’t been to the place before. I didn’t know how to get there by road.

Thanks to God, there must be someone in the church who has been there before, I assured myself.

This book is inspired by the experience I had as I started by seeking the roadmap and as I drove, relocating to the new place. At the end of the journey, as I reflected on the experience, God opened my understanding to discover that there are lots of things to learn from the road. The road lessons make it easy to understand and relate the ways of God to our daily life. The experience was rich enough to teach and motivate commitment in our journey with Christ. I decided not to keep to myself this wealth of insight that was graciously given to me, hence the birth of this book.

When it began, I thought that lesson from the road was just about being keen on checking the road signs, signboards and holding on to the right road. It, however, turned out that there is a wealth of lessons in the daily traffic experience that can help us understand the ways of God in a more practical way. I later learnt that it was not only the experience on that particular day but that traffic experience has always had a lot to teach us in our Christian life and journey.

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About The Book

A guest speaker in an interdenominational gathering shared his testimony and told stories. He related his experience and the stories to the general principles of the Bible. He finished without reading even a verse from the Bible.

His testimony and the way he related it to the things of God touched many lives. One person wasn’t amused though: How can he just tell stories and finish without reading from the Word of God—not even one verse? He questioned.

The man’s complaint missed one point: different people use different styles and God uses them that way. Relating his experiences and the stories he told to the Bible was one of the ways the Bible can be made to apply in our lives in a practical way. A big part of what comprises the Word of God itself are stories of people, experiences and how they did or didn’t relate with God in their circumstances—and the subsequent consequences.

This book is not about the preacher I mentioned above and his style. It is about seeing and hearing God in everyday experiences. One group of people yearn to hear from God but are not willing to listen, yet, we can’t hear God if we can’t listen to Him. Another group desire to hear from God and they are willing to listen but are unwilling to trust the Lord at His word. The voice of God is louder and clearer to those that are not only yearning to hear from Him but are also eager to be practically guided by His voice.

This book is about the voice of God in the traffic. It tells stories from the road and relates them to what they teach in our spiritual journey. And how I pray that these lessons will have a practical influence in someone’s life!

It is written with the knowledge that it was from the daily common experiences that Jesus Himself drew lots of teachings. Just as it was then, so it is today—our surroundings are rich with insights into spiritual matters. The problem is that we often miss chances both to see and hear.

The book amplifies what God has been saying through the traffic and by so doing, it gives a second chance to those of us who might not have listened when God spoke in the traffic, on the one hand and on the other, rouse our sensitivity and expectation so that next time we are in the traffic, we may tell and listen when God is speaking.

I have quoted or paraphrased Bible verses or stories as far as possible to help the reader remember the case in the Bible. This is especially important if one is reading at a place where one might not have a Bible. Being a reader myself, I know that sometimes one may be reading as one travels and one might not have a Bible readily available to check how the story goes. In many occasions, I have wished that a scriptural reference was followed by a quotation or paraphrase especially when I couldn’t remember the Biblical case being referred to. Nevertheless, some Biblical references are given without corresponding quotations or paraphrase. This is to encourage readers to countercheck and study the Bible for themselves.

I hope that the lessons highlighted in this book will not only challenge but also help us reflect on and make a meaning out of the road-life to help us in the journey of life and, not least, that we may choose to follow the One who would take us to our final destination.

Ogweno Daniel

Skien, Norway

July, 2005 (2011).

Back to the Table of Content

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

The way home is not a highway.

Seeking the Way to Heaven

I once listened to a preacher who was speaking about the difference between religion generally and knowing Christ personally. He told a story of a man who wanted to go to heaven but didn’t know how to get there.

This man started looking and searching for the way. He asked a number of people to show him how to get to heaven. There were many people who claimed to know the way but each time he tried to follow their directions, he would realise that he was heading the wrong way. He would start all over again but would still find out, sooner or later, that he was heading nowhere.

At the end of it all, he got disconcerted. Some of the directions were as hard to remember as others were confusing. No one seemed to give him a sure way to get to his destination. It was futile.

Look at it this way: Let’s say you wanted to get to a place but you didn’t know how. At the beginning you were so naive. You took the first person that showed you the way at his word—you trusted the directions he gave you. You didn’t give a careful thought about it—you just took it face-valued. You, however, realised that the person who gave you the direction didn’t direct you well. But this was after some time. You had already wasted a lot of time and energy. You decided to find out with others.

It didn’t get better. One thing that you quickly became aware of was that there were conflicting instructions from most of the people. When you pointed out that there must be someone misleading you, some of them insisted that it didn’t matter which way you took, you would still end up where you were going—kind of alluding to All roads lead to Rome.

Since you really wanted to get to your destination, you didn’t lose hope and because you didn’t want to make any mistakes again, you listened carefully to each person who tried to show you the direction.

To guard against being hoodwinked, you became judicious and analysed every bit of information you were given. Some people told you that you could only reach your destination if you drove along a highway. These people told you that in the highway were many other people and you only needed to follow them. You quickly realised that you might not get to your destination by following the majority—they might not be