Follow the Arrows—Grace & Truth Link-Up
Attention, Customers
I had heard about the arrows.
Walmart was adding “one-way aisles” in its stores to direct traffic flow. It was one of its safety measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
But I forgot about it. I was shopping for groceries as normal, going in and out of the aisles at my choosing.
Until…I looked down. I was going the wrong way.
How had I missed these these huge green arrows on the floor that said “Shop this way” and the big red ones, “Do not shop this way”?
We don’t always like being told what to do. We like forging our own path. We might not even notice the signs anyway. Or if we do, we might not understand why they’re there.
This applies spiritually as much as physically.
Even though as believers we’re told to keep our eyes on things above, we’re told, too, to follow Christ’s footsteps, which means also looking down.
And actually following the arrows we see.
If we believe God to be good, we can also believe that his guidance to us is good. He is worth following. He won’t lead us wrong.
Compassion > Convenience
Now I’m keenly aware of the arrows on Walmart’s floor. They’re not always convenient; I’m having to take extra steps to enter an aisle from the proper direction instead of weaving in and out like I was used to.
But that’s okay. I’m getting more exercise this way. I still have access to every aisle. And it’s keeping us all a little safer.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 14 to willingly trade in a little personal freedom for the greater good. Following Christ means watching out for each other. It’s for our good, too.
God cares more about our compassion than our convenience.
I want to follow his arrows.
Our Featured Post
Our featured post this week is also about following Christ’s footsteps. Sharon Hazel writes in “Following the Footsteps” about the painted footprints on her town’s sidewalks, leading children to their new school. And how Jesus leaves footprints for us to follow as well.
Read all of Sharon’s post here at her blog, limitless-horizons.
Thanks for sharing, Sharon! Here’s a button for your blog.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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How do you feel about following directions? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Those arrows have tripped me up more than once, Lisa. ? I am definitely an imperfect follower….
“imperfect follower” – That description fits all of us, Michele. Aptly stated. There are no other kinds. Grateful that Christ invites us to follow anyway.
mmm … I couldn’t see the arrows the first time I went to the store because my face mask was blocking the view!
;-}
Lol. Yes, that, too, Linda! 🙂 We live on a county line. On one side, I see very few people wearing masks at the grocery stores. On the other side, most everyone wear masks while out. It’s crazy the difference (and sad).
Great post, Lisa. I went back and reread Romans 14. It does apply to our current situation.
And I did the same thing as you the first time I went grocery shopping in a store with arrows. Oops!
I guess that proves we need to have grace with others when they’re going the wrong way too. 🙂
My husband works for Wal-Mart and I can tell you I went in for a shop and never saw the signs. I was looking up for people and products and didn’t know they were there until He was talking about them over dinner that night!
That makes me feel much better, Lauren! 🙂 I had heard my daughter talk about the signs earlier at a different Walmart, but for some reason I didn’t even think about looking down until I was halfway through shopping.
God is the best guide I know. I’m not always so good on my own and get tripped up when trying to follow the arrows.
Thank you for this post and these words——> God cares more about our compassion than our convenience.
I’m not very good on my own either. Today I was shopping at Kroger’s but they had no arrows so it was up to every man to guide his own steps. 🙂
I think most people forget about the one way arrows (or don’t see/notice them!). I do pretty good about remember and following them but I will back track in the same aisle if I forgot something… I just don’t turn my cart around! LOL.
Ha. I’ve done the same thing, Joanne. I’ve also abandoned my cart to just quickly grab the one thing I need on an opposite aisle if no one else is on that aisle anyway. Then go back to my cart. We understand the purpose behind the rules and we’re still accomplishing the goal, right? 🙂