“And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so, he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. So, he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers. “So, he set out and came to his father.” (Luke 15:11-20a NASB)
In life most of us, no, let me change that, all of us end up taking detours off the narrow path of righteousness, perhaps momentarily or in some cases, most unfortunately, for a major segment of time. When that happens, eventually, prayerfully, we come to a spiritual roundabout, similar to those traffic roundabouts that are starting to be constructed more and more on our local roads. These traffic roundabouts are constructed in a circular pattern at ja unction between two streets. The driver can make a decision of four different paths to take, but only one is the direction that will get them to their desired destination. Let’s move to a spiritual roundabout. The spiritual roundabout is viewed a little different. There is only one distinct path that should be chosen when one is traveling in the wrong direction, traveling on the wide path that leads to destruction. At that juncture, the one traveling down the road of life is presented with an opportunity to go around the roundabout and head back to the place where they departed, the place called a sanctified life. True, the traveler, by virtue of free will, has to make up their own mind to just turn around. He/she will see other paths, three to be exact, on from Satan, one from the secular world, and one from the seducing flesh (self). The other three paths may be appealing, awfully enticing, and they may seem like perfect alternatives. But no, my friend. They are just the oppositive, imperfect. Yet, still, the traveler has to choose. Let me borrow from a literary giant, the traveler has to choose from the road less traveled by many, the road that is called the path of righteousness. Nevertheless, it is always true that this is the right path to choose. Always!
For believers, we will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit beckoning us to go around the spiritual roundabout, and experience a positive, God-pleasing, turnaround, heading back to the waiting arms of our merciful Father.
Today, when we come to such an intersection, and we all will come to them, we have to quickly go all the way around to where we end up traveling in the right, sanctified, set-apart direction.
I hope this meditation has not been confusing, but rather caring counsel. Remember to just go all around on the roundabout. That’s some simple counseling, free of charge. Now we just need to apply it in every action, interaction, and reaction as we travel through this day. But tomorrow, we must do it again. And, day after day, when we have our failings and head mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually in the wrong direction, make good use of the roundabout analogy you just read. Have a terrific Tuesday, a day where you testify by word and deed to those who see you, “I will be true to my calling.” Avoid the aforementioned wrong options on the roundabouts. No stumbling, okay? Be blessed!
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King