Georgia Billboards

Yesterday, as I was travelling through the state of Georgia, something really caught my attention: the big billboards lining the side of the highway. There may be other states that have similar billboards, but I have not seen any, at least to this extent, that compare with the ones in Georgia.
I saw a couple of billboards that were making very strong moral statements. One billboard, which I only saw once, said:" Homosexuality is a sin" - signed: God. I thought: wow. That is true, I believe, but is that the best way to communicate God's truth to people driving by at 75 mph? Another billboard I saw several times targeted abortion; or to put it more positively, were "pro-life". It had the picture of a mom who was pregnant and then a huge statement that was coming from the life inside of her: "18 days after conception, I have a heartbeat". To me, it is a moving billboard. And, in my opinion, it is a more reasonable, loving way to get a good message across.

Beside these examples, it was a series of 4 billboards that made the most impact on me. The first one had no pictures, but simply, in all bold letters, said: "STRIPPERS: Come and take a look!" Then, there was the encouragement to take the next exit and take a look. Probably 1/4 mile from that billboard was one that said: "What Can Wash Away My Sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"
Another mile or so after that was another billboard: "STRIPPERS: Enough said!" Then, about 1/2 mile from that, another billboard: "For God so loved the world". It had a picture of Jesus dying on the cross, and then the words: "eternally assured".

As I was driving, I had some time to consider what I had just seen. A series of 4 billboards, with interchanging messages. I wonder: was it on purpose? Did those who put the gospel centered billboards up mean to do it just after the inappropriate billboards (inappropriate not because of images, but because it is encouraging sin)? I wonder...

My takeaway was this: Whether purposeful or not, There was great truth told in these billboards. There is the allurement to sin, which is very strong (if not these types of billboards, then there is something else that allures us); and then in between those alluring messages, that bring death, there is life bringing gospel messages. Thank God for that. It is truth. What is it that delivers us from the sin of lust, or any sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! And what is it about God that I need to focus on, as it relates to my sin, and the strong temptations that I face? "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life!"

Next time you are travelling the Georgia highways, look for a great message of truth, in the midst of lies...just on the side of the road!