Brad the Shearing Pastor joined Leah and Dan on Breakfast to share his latest thoughts: What do the red lights in life really indicate?

The Green Light Experience

“What do you do when life hits a red light?” Asked Brad. “There are times where everything’s going great.”

He referred to this as a green light experience. “Things are moving, doors are opening, plans are coming together, the kids are happy and healthy.”

Then, he added, there are other times in life.

“Times where life hits a red light. A job opportunity stalls. If something doesn’t work out, a relationship you thought was going to work out just stops. Something you’d hoped for. And it’s like you’re sitting at a red light. And I’ve noticed that rarely do we ever question green lights, but we always sit at the red light, asking, ‘Why?’

Why We Wait

Pastor Brad referred to his sheep.

“There’s a thing in the shearing and sheep industry called low stress stock handling. It is about getting sheep from one destination to another.”

Scare Tactics

Brad said this originated from the old days when shepherds would scream at the sheep and chase them to the point where they were afraid. They would move out of fear.

“With low stress stock handling, the farmer simply positions himself and doesn’t move the sheep to 1 destination to another by fear, but rather by presence.”

Low Stress Stock Handling

He said this process takes longer because the sheep have to stop, just like people at a red light, but the results are better.

“The sheep get to the destination calmer, they’re more relaxed, they’re better for shearing, and they get there effectively.”

They Who Wait

He concluded by encouraging the Sonshine family to refrain from asking, “Why?” at the red light. Consider the fact that perhaps it isn’t rejection. It could be protection.

“Who knows what is around the corner?” asked Pastor Brad, referencing the scripture in Isaiah 40:

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

“Maybe the red light isn’t for just stopping… maybe it is for strengthening you as you wait. Over the years, I’ve learned that in the waiting, it’s never wasted when we trust in God.”

“Always resist the thinking that it’s rejection. It may be protection.”

Check out the full chat below.