It was a beautiful, sun-shiny morning, and my car windows were down so the gentle breeze could blow against me as I drove (my favorite way if you know me and have shared a car ride with me).
I do not remember where I was headed that day, but I do remember how I knew the way to where I was headed & the stranger who I encountered that same day did not know the way to his destination. 
That day, this stranger was LOST, and it was up to me to lead him in the right direction. 
On that so particular, typical day, although I do not remember WHERE I was going, I do remember WHO I spoke with because I can still see his face in my mind (and I am sure he can still see MY FACE as well in his mind, but not for a happy thought reason).
I also remember WHAT we spoke of that day (and I am sure he can still see MY FACE as well in his mind, but again, not for any happy reason).

Now, maybe you are curious & Maybe you know me well. & Maybe you just think there’s probably a silly story, something I may have done, and something my sisters  and brothers and family can now tease me about whenever we share time together.
“Do you know the way to Paul’s?” he asked through his open window.  A stoplight is a perfect place to give directions. 
“Sure,” I responded, full of authority and confidence.

I am FROM HERE, I thought.
I DO KNOW THE WAY TO PAUL’S FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

Clearly, I do not (know the way), or more appropriately, my directions needed a little more clarification added to—Clearly Lead Someone To The Local Discount Store.
“Sure. Just take the next left and follow that road. Paul’s will be on your left,” I said through my self-satisfied smile and half-wave, as the stoplight turned green, signaling us to drive forward. 
Here is where the silliness begins (or maybe it began back at the stoplight) because at the next left, I saw the stranger wave at me in thanks as he turned his car left at the NEXT LEFT (just as I had directed)—TURNING LEFT TWO ROADS BEFORE HE SHOULD HAVE TURNED LEFT!
That man drove for miles that day and probably NEVER found Paul’s because Paul’s does NOT exist on Froghollow Road, the road I sent him down, the road that was CLEARLY the WRONG road.
My face and my directions that day may just have filled his mind as he drove down the wrong road looking for a discount store that did not exist on that WRONG road.
(Yes, I did turn around at the next U-turn available and followed the way he drove, but I never caught up with him or saw him again.)

Clearly, I think my gravestone needs to be filled with opening lines to silly antics committed by me that were not intended to be “silly,” but somehow, someway, my serious attempts sometimes become, well—just SILLY.
That day, what I meant as a kind, thoughtful action became one of frustration and maybe even anger for the man. Most definitely this story has become a laughable story for my family.
Yet, as I reflect upon that day, I wonder if we take serious the directions we are giving others AS we live?
I wonder if we are living as Jesus leads us to live, never becoming a stumbling block to others we are encountering on our life-path?

I wonder—Do we live real?
Do we live within this world, putting ourselves “out there,” not doing or not saying or even not participating in what we know is okay (for us) but what another may see as wrong and may stumble over as they read the Bible through our daily actions?
Yes, today, I wonder—Do we obey God—even to the point of the world’s ridicule in order to obediently reflect Jesus Christ to the lost?
Do we care more about our reputations—OR—Do we care more about sharing Jesus with those who do not yet know Jesus as Savior?

Obedience.
It’s a REAL thing!
Staying deep in God’s Word every day.
It’s a REAL thing!
Living without sin, striving to reflect the beauty of Jesus to those watching and seeking direction.
It’s a REAL thing!

I could go on and tell you the rest of the silly things that I have done throughout my life, but I suppose I will save those stories for my gravestone; visit and enjoy a good laugh someday if you so desire.
Today, I would be remiss if I did not share what Jesus says about obedience, but do not believe me; instead, read God’s Word with me.
Simon Peter had fished throughout the night, and he was exhausted and dejected because his nets caught zero fish.  Truly, he had worked all night for nothing, and now he just wanted to go home and go to bed.  Jesus needed Simon to do something else; Jesus needed Simon to obey.
Jesus had taught the crowd that morning around the Sea of Galilee, and the crowd moved toward him, causing Jesus to step even closer to the water’s edge.  Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat and asked him to push them out into the water where Jesus could continue to teach the crowd who came to hear.
That is so important; Simon obey Jesus!
Then after Jesus finished speaking to the crowd, He gave Simon a second command.

“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4).
Simon was tired.
Simon’s nets were clean and ready for tomorrow’s fishing. 
Simon just wanted to go home.
Simon did not really want to fish again this morning because he was so tired.
Yet, Simon obeyed.
Yet, Simon said to Jesus, “but I will do as You say and let down the nets.”(5)

Now, if you know this biblical story, then you know the rest of the story—How God blessed Simon that day with a huge catch—How Simon’s fishing partners were called over to also fill their boats because Simon’s catch was so large—How Simon realized WHO sat there in his boat—JESUS CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD—How Simon fell down at Jesus’ feet and realized his sinfulness.
But there’s even more!
Yes, we must see the rest!
That morning, Simon’s boat had been full of empty nets.
Then that morning, when Simon obeyed Jesus, his nets (that had been empty) were now full and overflowing. 
And that day—When Jesus said to Simon,

Simon.
Simon’s Partners:  James and John.
All three men left those full nets of fish and followed Jesus.
Where Jesus leads; we follow.
When God’s Holy Spirit speaks; we obey.
The world is filled with those who are lost and seeking a way to be found.
Let us take our task seriously and proclaim the truth as we give directions to the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!
Let us then witness how others turn upon the right path and find WHO they need most—JESUS AS SAVIOR!