LightGrams
May 28, 2026
Volume 30, Number 19
“Stuck In Stubbornness”
Mercifully, the driver of the truck wasn’t identified on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Instagram page. Friends of this fellow may recognize his pickup truck; it appears to be a rugged-type four-wheel drive that people enjoy maneuvering through challenging terrain. But the challenge this driver undertook proved to be too much.
He approached the on-ramp to an Interstate highway in Milwaukee County, but a “Road Closed” barrier stood in his way. He decided that didn’t apply to his rugged truck, so he moved the barrier off to the side and proceeded on his way. The fresh concrete the barrier was meant to protect was more of a match than he anticipated, and photos of his truck axle-deep in the concrete testify to his stubbornness. Large machines were required to free him. We’re guessing the repair bills for his truck and for the damaged road work will be substantial.
Something about sitting behind a steering wheel brings out the worst in many people. Traffic safety signs are ignored as people decide to blast past their warnings. Many manage to escape consequences, but many others, like our friend in the cement pit, aren’t so lucky.
Each of us are “sitting behind the wheel” of our life and stubbornness is a problem we all experience to some degree. “Pride” is a word the Bible uses: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
Many in Judah in the 7th century B.C. were ignoring God’s warning signs. The prophet Jeremiah tried to reason with them: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jeremiah 6:16). Not many years passed until they were stuck in their sins and the Babylonian Empire served as God’s instrument of punishment. Pride kept them from paying attention to God.
“Preach the word!” Paul wrote to his young associate Timothy, “for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine … they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Instead of stopping at the “Road Closed” barriers, such people power forward into dangerous territory and are soon stuck in sin.
Stubbornness is made stronger by thinking we won’t be detected when we ignore barriers. Moses can help us avoid such a delusion: “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). That’s always true of sin – we will be found out eventually.
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.