“Do Not Enter,” the crooked sign read. The words were faint and painted years ago. They bounced off my conscious as I easily climbed over the broken gate. 

I left the boundary behind as I walked in the unfamiliar desert landscape around me. Cactus, sand, even the possibility of rattlesnakes kept me watching my feet while my spirit focused on trying to listen to God. I needed His wisdom to direct the course of my day.

The fierceness of a faraway bark broke my stride. In my mind, the story of a friend’s mauling by an untamed dog in my adopted village assaulted me. No worries here, my logic quickly jumped in; America’s dogs aren’t wild. In a moment, my legs once again found their pace.

More barks, low and frantic. Suddenly, two German Shepherds appeared in the distance. Their ears were laid back and their growls had become fierce with purpose. Instantly, they ran directly toward me. I knew I was their intended goal. 

My hands went damp while the chill of fear froze everything within me. My rapidly beating heart boomed. 

“Lord,” I cried, “by the blood of your Lamb, save me!” 

I heard a whistle. The dogs halted. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” A deep voice, whose tone was as hostile as his dogs’ bark came from deep within some trees behind the animals.

“This land is posted. If you value your life, get off.”

My 180-degree turn took no time at all.

“God, I know you saved me,” I said over and over as my heartbeat eased and my legs walked rapidly back to the fence.

That morning, God reminded me about listening. While His warning signs are posted all throughout the Bible, I often follow my own logic and let His Word bounce off of my conscious as easily as I crawled over that gate. I ignore the Truth of His wisdom–the very wisdom from which life and death flow. 

My conversation with God that day ended much differently than the way it had started. While I had been looking for direction and a change of scenery, God had purposed that I start to pay attention to the obvious.