As the Church transitions from the recently concluded National Youth Week celebration into November’s Aggressive Evangelism Month, one thing is clear, the “Go and Tell” mandate is still alive and gathering momentum. The call to reach the lost with the Gospel of Christ is louder than ever, and none must be left behind.
In carrying this divine mandate forward, there are profound lessons believers can draw from something we encounter daily – the traffic light. Just as God often reveals His truths through the natural order, as seen in Scripture (“the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship at sea…” Proverbs 30:19), modern life also presents symbols that speak of divine principles. The traffic light, though simple in function, offers deep spiritual insights that perfectly align with the believer’s mission to “Go and Tell”.
The traffic light operates on three instructions: stop, get ready, and go. These same principles can guide our spiritual response to God’s call.
Red means stop: In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of a man attacked by robbers and left half-dead by the roadside. A priest and a Levite, both religious men, passed by without helping, but a Samaritan stopped, tended to his wounds, and ensured he was cared for. This story mirrors the condition of our world today; men and women wounded by sin, helpless and in need of a Saviour. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sadly, like the priest and Levite, many Christians pass by souls in need, distracted by personal pursuits. The red light is God’s way of telling us to pause, to see the broken, the hurting, and the lost around us. It means stop and consider your brother’s plight. Stop overlooking the perishing. Stop being indifferent. The world is in danger – like the red opioid crisis that grips many young people – and that reality should stir us to act with urgency and compassion.
Yellow means get ready: Before the green light comes, there is a moment of preparation. Scripture consistently shows that preparation precedes mission. Jesus spent three years preparing His disciples before sending them out. Paul, after his encounter on the road to Damascus, was taught and trained before beginning his ministry. Even Jesus Himself fasted and prayed before launching His public work. Preparation equips the believer for effective service, it means filling up with the Word, prayer, and the Spirit. Through God’s Word, we understand the heart of the Gospel; that redemption and justification come only through Jesus Christ. Prayer, on the other hand, fuels our faith and aligns our will with God’s purpose. As Isaiah 40:31 declares, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” In The Church of Pentecost, God has provided countless opportunities for equipping, through teachings, mentorship, fellowship, and prayer. Every believer must therefore allow God to prepare them for the battlefield of evangelism, for only those who are spiritually ready can stand firm and fruitful in the mission field.
Green means go: When the light turns green, movement is required. The call to “Go and Tell” is not new, it echoes the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” God’s desire is that all men be saved, and His chosen instruments for this divine mission are His children. “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us,” says 2 Corinthians 5:20. Yet, many believers hesitate – held back by shyness, fear, busyness, or the comfort of routine. But the Gospel demands movement. We cannot remain at the red or yellow lights forever; the Spirit is calling us to advance.
It is time to break free from the boundaries of comfort and silence. Paul’s admonition to Timothy, “Let no man despise your youth”, reminds us that no one is too young or unqualified to share Christ. The reward for obedience in this mission is certain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 assures believers that “your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” Heaven rejoices over one soul that repents, and each believer who goes and tells shares in that joy.
So, the next time you stand before a traffic light, let its message speak beyond the road. Red; stop and see the brokenness around you. Yellow; get ready in prayer, Word, and fellowship. Green; go and tell the world about Jesus Christ. The time is now, and the Spirit says, “Move!”
Written by Elder Dr. David Oduro-Nyarko, New Bortianor English Assembly, New Bortianor District, Weija Area.
