United States Patent No. 1,475,074 was granted on this day in 1923 to Garrett Morgan. While we’ve probably never heard of this man, we see and use his invention every day. First, let’s get some perspective on the identity of this man.
“Morgan, the child of two formerly enslaved people, was born in Kentucky in 1877. When he was just 14 years old, he moved north to Ohio to look for a job. First he worked as a handyman in Cincinnati; next he moved to Cleveland, where he worked as a sewing-machine repairman. In 1907, he opened his own repair shop, and in 1909 he added a garment shop to his operation. The business was an enormous success, and by 1920 Morgan had made enough money to start a newspaper, the Cleveland Call {& Post], which became one of the most important Black newspapers in the nation.”1 The newspaper is still around today, although Morgan’s name is not nearly as familiar as its current owner, Don King.
While Morgan was driving through the streets of Cleveland, he witnessed numerous accidents, one of which left an indelible impression on him. Traffic signal lights at intersections had been introduced to the world in London in 1868. These manually operated devices had two colors, red and green, that changed instantly. Drivers often couldn’t react quickly enough when the light went from green to red. Opposing traffic instantly had the green light so collisions happened often. Morgan’s brainstorm introduced us to the three-light system with yellow being the warning light.
Driver’s ed instructors will tell you that a yellow light doesn’t mean speed up and rush through the intersection. It’s supposed to get you to slow down and prepare to stop. Unfortunately, that’s not how we typically treat the yellow light. Instead, the yellow light says, “You better tromp the gas or you’re going to have to wait.” Some will fly through the intersection only to see lights they never wanted to see: red and blue!
As we travel through life, God’s Word gives us traffic lights to guide us along the journey. His red lights always mean stop. Don’t coast to a stop. Stop immediately. The first Biblical red light appeared in Genesis 2:17 when the Lord said, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Adam and Eve should have come to a screeching stop and never crossed that intersection. We know that they did cross the intersection and brought about a cataclysmic crash that we suffer from today.
God’s green lights are enjoyable. Mark 16:15 says, “… Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” God gives the green light on many aspects of our Christian life. Driving my truck, I like green lights and open road. I want to move! But, in the Christian life, we often hesitate. Green means GO but we either sit with the brakes applied, gear shift in neutral, or we tepidly start moving like a frightened newbie in the driver’s ed car.
When does God give yellow lights? Consider what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. (10) For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (11) And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (12) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (13) Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
One of God’s yellow lights is to proceed cautiously in life with regards to other drivers – I mean, fellow believers. We do not want to cause offense, especially an offense that could cause them to stumble in their walk with the Lord. 
Another reminder from Paul found in 1 Corinthians 10:23 says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Long before Morgan invented the three-light traffic signal, God had His own. Follow the directions of His Word and you will navigate through life safely. Psalms 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/garrett-morgan-patents-three-position-traffic-signal
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