Michelle Smith

We live about a mile back in the woods on a private one-lane dirt road. Entering our road affords travelers no option but that of slowing down. As the hustle and bustle of the highway is left behind, one is enveloped in a tunnel of quiet and solitude – each side of the lane is lined with trees whose branches stretch upward to create a cooling canopy.

Our road has no public outlet and ends a short distance past our driveway at a locked gate. Often first-time guests mistakenly think they have made a wrong turn and call us from about halfway down the road to ask for clarification. While conversing with them I walk over to look out of our kitchen window and am able to assure them that they are on the right road because I can see their car tentatively approaching through the trees.

Years ago, another property owner posted a “private” sign at the road’s entrance, but unfortunately, Google has a different opinion. Google Maps routinely directs people this way, insisting that it is a shortcut which will connect them to a public road. This results in many frustrated drivers!

After making multiple submissions to Google Maps requesting that they correct this error, and seeing no change, we decided to take matters into our own hands. I ordered a large bright gold sign warning that the road has “no outlet” which my husband posted in plain sight at the best turn-around spot.

Surprisingly, we still had a man from out-of-town who was pulling an 18-foot trailer behind his truck travel all the way to the end of our road in spite of the narrowing passageway. Arriving at the locked gate, he realized that he had gotten himself into a complicated situation. We would have gladly unlocked the gate and let him pass, but by the time my husband discovered him, he had accidentally locked himself out of his truck and somehow lost his keys. It took three days for him to sort things out so he could retrieve his truck and return home.

When my husband inquired if he had missed seeing the “no outlet” warning, he explained that he thought it was an old sign and simply ignored its message – instead he believed Google Maps and continued on.

What a powerful illustration of the consequences that come from following the wrong voice and ignoring the warning signs telling us that we are on the wrong course.

We are faced with decisions every day, many are simple ones with minor consequences; but others are major ones and can have long-term consequences which lead us completely off course.

After this incident I ordered a second custom designed sign which my husband secured to the post just below the first one. It proclaims, “Google is wrong! This is the best place to turn around.”

Not every source of information is accurate or based on truth. Even Google can be wrong. It is vital that we discern the validity of the voices we listen to and carefully evaluate the advice or instructions given to us to be sure we are not on the wrong road.

The most important road to be certain about is the one that determines our eternal destiny.

Jesus instructed us to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, (Matthew 7:13).”

He also declared these words: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me, (John 14:6).”

Clearly, the voices we listen to, and follow, can have eternal consequences.

Michelle Smith serves alongside her husband, Gary, as part of the leadership team of New Life Christian Fellowship. She founded Purely Women Ministries with the purpose of helping women of all ages discover their true identity as women of God. She can be reached at michelle@newlifealpena.org.