Trusting Life’s Traffic Lights

Recently, I read Matthew McConaughey’s book, “Greenlights”. Yes, the American actor who made the famous line, “Alright! Alright! Alright!”. He wrote this book based on his many years of journaling. The green lights were moments when his life seem to flow effortlessly. In contrast, he also had red lights and yellow lights – when there were delay, setbacks, and slowdowns in his life.

The question today is this: What if these green, yellow and red lights are God’s ways of directing our paths?

Red Lights – God’s Protection

We tend to see red lights in our lives as failure or rejection, but often it is God protecting us. We are so sure of our own ways, or we want things in our timing, that we don’t see the red light stopping us from crashing into a busy intersection in our lives. In hindsight, we can sometimes see God’s protection revealed from what we thought was a missed opportunity.

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps

Yellow Lights – God’s Preparation

Many a times, we feel frustrated when things are on hold, when we are stuck, or our plans are thwarted. We feel disappointed, even at God. In wisdom, we will later find out that it was a season of preparation, growth and testing of our patience and perseverance.

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Green Lights – God’s Provision

Have you ever go through a green wave – a series of green lights driving through a stretch of street? Green lights in our lives feel good – when doors are open, prayers are answered, and we are moving forward. Green lights remind us that God is faithful in blessing us and that He is a God of Abundance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: (1) be patient and trust God in the red lights, (2) prepare yourself and seek growth during the yellow lights, and (3) praise and thank God for the many green lights in your life. Let us always surrender to God’s timing for every red, yellow and green lights in our lives.

Chasing Who I Am in 10 Years

Recently, I heard Matthew McConaughey speech:

They are three things to my account that I need each day. One of them is something I look up to, another is something to look forward to, and another is someone to chase.

Someone To Look Up To

The something he looks up to is GOD. He thanked God for his blessings – how amazing that is! I too believe that God is someone I look up to and give thanks to everyday. I am who I am today because of God’s amazing love and grace.

Someone To Look Forward To

The something he looks forward to is his family – how wonderful that is! To always look forward to his loving family is such a blessing. We must never take granted our family and friends, who have supported and love us.

Someone To Chase

The person to chase? That’s him in 10 years time! He is constantly chasing the person he will be 10 years away. He knows he is not going to attain that, and it’s fine with him because it keeps him with somebody to keep on chasing.

I love this concept of imagining my future self and chasing after my own hero. I get to envision the best version of myself in 10 years time, and keep on chasing after my awesome Future Self. It is a moving target of chasing the best version of who I can be in the future. I can play my own hero in my story, writing the adventures of my life!

I want more from my life because I know I can be more – that I can contribute more to the world. There is a purpose of who I am – to do something that I was meant to do, that only I can contribute to in this world. It is the unique contribution of my Future Self that I am pursuing – whether it is in one year or ten years’ time!