The lesson from the bowing sign

I was riding my bicycle the other day along North Carson Street when an odd thing took place. With the road under construction, there are several temporary and portable warning signs.

As I passed one of these, a slight breeze from the north caused it to apparently bow down before me. Now I don't know about you, but I can't remember another time when a person or thing has bowed down before me. I chuckled about the incident, though not very long or hard, since I was riding uphill.

The situation caused me to think deeply, though. It's easy at times to get pretty self-assured and somewhat cocky. After all, didn't the poet Henley write, "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul"?

As master, it's kind of nice being bowed before. Convinced that I am the captain, I often operate under the misconception that I am in control - that is, until things fall apart.

You see, there's only one Master, and I am not He. God Almighty has always prohibited worship or obeisance toward any other thing or being besides Him.

"You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down yourselves to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them." (II Kings 17:35).

I tremble when I think of all the things that I willingly bow before.

Indeed, there is coming a time, the Lord says, when "every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." (Romans 14:11)

So as I often pedal uphill through life, I am reminded of the words of James. "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." (James 4:10)

Lord, thank you for this particular "sign of the times." Help me to watch who and what I bow down before. AMEN.

n Bruce M. Henderson is pastor of Airport Road Church of Christ in Carson City.