Warning signs and Aussie flag bearer at Sochi

Beware, a photo by bobmendo on Flickr.

My friends Trevor, Rod, and Phil had some fun at the North Ryde Golf Club when we saw this warning sign, "Beware of golfers on tee." Not sure why golfers on tees are dangerous, they struck a pose of possible impending doom. Trevor's nose caught the brunt of the intimiphoto.

The other day at our office one of our workers erased a large batch of data by ignoring a warning that the computer gave. I've noticed that we often zoom past warning signs and computer prompts on a regular basis. We simply don't have time or interest in insignificant information. It may be significant after all, but we don't give it much mind.

There is great worry about terrorism in Sochi. This morning snowboarder Alex “Chumpy” Pullin learned he will carry the Australian flag at Friday night’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony - and then said the sight of warships off the coast as he flew into Sochi heartened him that he would not be at the centre of a terrorist attack.

Pullin, who is one of Australia’s leading medal contenders in the men’s snowboard cross, was a surprise selection ahead of four-time Olympic aerial freestyle skier Lydia Lasilla.

He will lead a record 60-strong Australian team into the ceremony, although the event will happen under the cloud of terrorist fears.

The opening ceremony has long been identified as a potential target from Chechen extremists, who have vowed to create havoc on the games.

“No, not at all,” Pullin said when asked if he was nervous about potential threat.

“We flew in over navy ships that were floating out in the water, all surrounding the airport, and later when we looked out the window there was a military officer manning once every 20 metres. There’s such a security lock down on the whole thing, and this event is taken very seriously."

“I’m sure it’s secure and everything is completely under control.”

When you see a warning sign, when you learn that trouble is brewing, when you consider possible trouble, pause. Take a moment. Re-read the computer prompt. Re-read the sign on the sign of the roadway and ensure that you are reading it right and that it is a clearway or a parking zone or...

Ezekiel was a Jewish prophet and he said this in his book in the Bible, chapter 33: "Now as for you, son of man, I (God says) have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life." (verses 7-9)

Seems that preachers really do have a role in life. Even I have a role. Not only a photographic role. Not only an administrative role. Not only as a father or husband. I have a preaching role which includes warnings.

And if you listen and turn from your sin, and turn towards the God who loves you radically, and wants to be in a relationship with you, then you will have a better life.

Not an easy life. Not a life without pain or real suffering, but a life where you have a relationship with the One who took your sin on Himself. Yeshua is the Savior of your life. He saw those warnings and those signs and took on board the pain of your hostility towards God.

Warning today? If you don't receive Yeshua, you will die in your sins and that has consequences about which we shouldn't be thinking. Better to think in terms of the response of your heart to a loving God who wants you to know Him.

Get it?

And watch out for goofy golfers in North Ryde. With drivers.